By
Jeff Lund
Arizona Daily Wildcat
From heavy sticks to red cowboy boots
As a jewelry salesman and lacrosse coach, Mickey-Miles Felton does it all.
He has been involved with lacrosse for more than 39 years, and during that time he has coached the U.S. lacrosse team in the 1984 Olympics, played in the 1998 World Games, as well as captured the Western Collegiate Lacrosse League title in 1990.
The Arizona Daily Wildcat sat down with Felton yesterday, where the eccentric head coach talked about his passion for the sport.
Wildcat: What type of changes have you seen in the sport in terms of the game itself and its popularity over the years?
Felton: I have been involved with Lacrosse since 1962 and since then, the speed of the game itself has changed drastically with the new sticks and gear. When I was playing in high school, the sticks were wooden, so they were very bulky and hard to learn how to play with. They also hurt a lot more.
When I would walk through the airport carrying my stick, people would ask me what type of fish I caught with that pole. Now the sticks are so light, they are like a part of your hand. They make the ball go so much faster. The sport's popularity has grown considerably with the attention given to it in movies like "American Pie."
Wildcat: Why did you come to Arizona?
Felton: I came to Tucson when I was 30. I was walking through New York City in my three-piece suit, and I decided out of the clear blue sky it was time for a change. When I got here, I saw the guys playing lacrosse and I asked to throw the ball around.
Wildcat: How did you become coach of UA's club lacrosse team?
Felton: I became coach midway through my second year as a player. It wasn't that I was a good lacrosse player, but being 30, I was older than everybody. I had kind of a general manager-type job, and midway through my second year, I fired the coach. Then, since we didn't have a coach anymore, I became the coach, and the rest is history.
Wildcat: What has been your greatest experience with lacrosse?
Felton: My greatest thing lately was in 1998 when I played in the World Games for the (United States) in Maryland. They wanted to have a masters tournament, and I was drafted. Playing in the tournament was great. Representing the (United States) and winning a medal in a later stage of life was very exciting.
Coaching in the 1984 Olympics (was also special). Getting respect from people all over the country was really a great experience. Another experience was, of course, winning the WCLL Championship in 1990. The rest has just been the relationships with people and players throughout the years.
Wildcat: How do this year's Laxcats compare to the championship team of 1990?
Felton: I am not one to compare teams, because there are so many factors involved. A team compares to who they are playing and in what era.
I thought this team was going to come together like the team in 1990 that won the title. Both teams have a lot of seniors. It became apparent in the middle of the '90 season that the team was special. I go to bed with the same dream every night, hoping to wake up and everyone (from this year's team) will be on the same page.
Wildcat: What is your outlook for the playoffs this season?
Felton: I'm excited about the playoffs. We are a program that year after year is at the top, fighting for the championship. It is nothing that I take for granted, because we have only won one championship. I am confident we are going to put it together. The first-round game should not be too concerning, but that can be the kiss of death.
Wildcat: In an interview with one of your players, he mentioned that he met you while you were selling jewelry. What type of jewelry do you make, and how long have you been selling it?
Felton: I have been selling my jewelry since 1991. I make lacrosse jewelry in 14-carat gold. I have a booth where I promote Arizona Lacrosse and sell my jewelry for my company, Lacrosse Image. Our slogan is "You work on your game, I'll work on your image." You know image is everything, right?
Wildcat: How do you promote Arizona Lacrosse while selling your jewelry?
Felton: Really what my M.O. for recruiting is - since I don't have a budget for recruiting or time for recruiting - is that I get as much publicity for the program as possible.
Negative publicity is better than no publicity. I like to create a little mystery. I kind of egg people on. The more people that know something about Arizona Lacrosse or Mickey-Miles Felton - that means that I have done my job. And I'm always doing something to draw that attention.
Not many people want to go out there and look silly, but it is really to get more publicity for the program. Players see me and see my jewelry - that's the way we recruit. I wear red cowboy boots (but) I have (also) coached the world team and go to all of the conventions. People know me.
When I needed a goalie I used to place an ad saying "goalie sticks for sale." Goalies would call, and I would say, "Hey, how are you doing," and recruit. People call me all the time. It is just another facet of the publicity.
