Doug Luey

Immeasurable Lacrosse Builder

Doug Luey’s contribution to lacrosse in Ontario particularly the greater Whitby/Oshawa sporting community has been outstanding - a period well beyond four decades of volunteer service. His contribution to lacrosse in Ontario and across the country has been stellar.

Doug Luey’s long-term involvement and commitment is apparent. He has served the game at all levels – player, coach, President, General Manager, Vice-President, Administrator (local, provincial and national levels) and grass-roots as a significant Builder.

It is noteworthy to add – Mr. Luey’s reputation within Ontario, across Canada and internationally is exceptional. He is known for his honesty and integrity. He has never operated with a personal hidden agenda. He is truly committed to growing the game of lacrosse.  It is the opinion of many - Doug Luey is one of the finest ambassadors the sport of lacrosse has. Mr. Luey has served Ontario lacrosse and is well known for his efforts to grow the game of lacrosse within Ontario, across Canada, and internationally – in no community, more than the Whitby/Oshawa community. 

Listing of Lacrosse Contributions/Accomplishments of Doug Luey
(beginning with most recent years)

• In March of 2024, Mr. Luey led a group of Canadian lacrosse coaches introducing the game of box lacrosse to the Dominican Republic

• Beginning in April 2023, Mr. Luey has been a founding member, editor and contributor to the “Think Lacrosse” website (www.thinklacrosse.ca).  Think Lacrosse has a mandate which includes promoting the game of lacrosse, circulating critical analyses and challenges to the game and supporting emerging leaderships within the game’s associations and communities 

• In 2017, Mr. Luey was a key person behind the establishment of the Durham Junior Lacrosse League. The league is for players in the greater Whitby/Oshawa area which allows players to “keep a stick in their hands over the Winter months”. It impacts approximately 100 players from the Whitby Junior “A”, Green Gaels Junior “B”, Clarington Shamrox and Whitby Warriors Junior “C” teams

• From 2017 to 2021, Mr. Luey served lacrosse holding the position of Commissioner of the Ontario Lacrosse Association’s Major Series Lacrosse league

• Despite the pandemic shutting down lacrosse leagues for the entire 2020 season and significantly impacting play in 2021, in his role of Commissioner of Major Series Lacrosse, Mr. Luey continued to work to keep MSL viable and visible. He initiated and oversaw the hugely successful Major Series Classic (20 game tournament held over a five-week period). The Classic opened many doors and opportunities for Major Series Lacrosse to attract new partners and investors to the league

• During his tenure as Major Series Lacrosse Commissioner, Doug Luey brought in numerous partners including VIA Rail, UnCommon Fit, Laballz, True Lacrosse, Lacrosse All-Stars, Signature Lacrosse, Training Division and Legend Rings 

• Founding Member of “Lacrosse in Motion” -  a group organized in 2016 dedicated to the introduction of Lacrosse to new Canadians

• From 2016-2018, Doug Luey served as the Director of High Performance & International Relations for the Canadian Lacrosse Association (now called Lacrosse Canada)

• Mr. Luey also served lacrosse at the National level in the role of Box Sector Chair for the Canadian Lacrosse Association for the period 2011-2016

• Doug Luey’s involvement and commitment to growing lacrosse is evident as he was instrumental in the re-establishment (and served as the First Past President) of the Oshawa Blue Knights Minor Box Lacrosse Association (2011).  Mr. Luey also co-founded L.E.A.P. (The Lacrosse Exposure Athletic Program)

• In 2008, Mr. Luey was the driving force and through his diligent efforts an Ontario Junior “C” league was established. Doug Luey served as the OLA Junior “C” League Commissioner from 2008 to 2011. This is a thriving league providing opportunity for hundreds of young men to play Junior calibre lacrosse

• Since 2007, Mr. Luey has taken a team playing under the moniker of the Green Gaels to Prague to participate in the Ales Hrbesky international tournament in Radotin of the Czech Republic. The 2007 and 2010 Gaels team won the tournament. More importantly, over the years - through Doug Luey’s efforts – dozens and dozens of lacrosse players, parents and fans have enjoyed the unique experience of being part of this highly respected international event. The Gaels appearance and the efforts of Doug Luey to grow the game of lacrosse have been an integral part of the development of lacrosse in the Czech Republic.  Although the pandemic resulted in the cancellation of the Ales Hrbesky tournament for two years, when it returned in 2024, Mr. Luey led and organized a contingent of Canadian and American box lacrosse players to participate in the tournament

• Along with coaching and managing teams, Doug Luey has served lacrosse in roles in the administration within the OLA. For the years 1995-2011, Mr. Luey served as the OLA Vice-President of Administration for Junior/Major Lacrosse

• In 2003, Doug Luey played an instrumental role in the establishment of the Clarington Minor Lacrosse Association – once again, helping to grow the game of lacrosse and providing youth the opportunity to play lacrosse

• Since 2003 – has been a proud Member of the St. Catharines Old Boys Association

• Beginning in 2001 until 2005, Doug Luey was the General Manager of the Clarington Green Gaels Junior “B” team.  Under Mr. Luey’s guidance, the Gaels won the Founders Cup (Junior “B” Champions of Canada) in 2002 and 2004. (Of note – the 2002 Clarington Green Gaels were inducted into the Clarington Sports Hall of Fame in 2019)

• For the years from 1996 to 2001 Mr. Luey was the President of the Whitby Minor Lacrosse Association – an association that included 23 Rep/Competitive teams and 98 House League teams (Note: at the time, the WMLA was largest lacrosse organization in Canada)

• For the years 1985-1999, Doug Luey was a coach in the Whitby Minor Lacrosse Association

• Mr. Luey coached in the Oshawa Minor Lacrosse Association for the years 1981-1983

• Doug Luey moved to Oshawa to begin his career working for General Motors. While working full-time at GM, Mr. Luey played Junior “A” lacrosse for the Oshawa Green Gaels in 1976 and 1977

• Doug Luey was first exposed to lacrosse playing in the Port Dalhousie Minor Lacrosse Association during the late 1960’s. Moving into the 1970’s, he played minor lacrosse in St. Catharines

Doug Luey - Awards Received:

In 2022, inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in the Builder category

In 2015, received the Creator’s Game Award for 30 years of volunteer service as a member of the Ontario Lacrosse Association

In 2014, inducted into the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame in the Builder category

In 2012, received the Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Award for significant contribution to their fellow countrymen, their community, or to Canada

In 2011, recognized by the Canadian Lacrosse Association for “Outstanding Support and Contribution to Lacrosse”

In 2006, became an Honorary Member of the Whitby Minor Lacrosse Association

In 2005, received the OLA President’s Award for 20 years of volunteer service as a member of the Ontario Lacrosse Association

Concluding Comments

Doug Luey has served the game of lacrosse in the greater Whitby/Oshawa area, all of Ontario and internationally for more than four decades. A long-term commitment and involvement that is nothing short of outstanding.

In the summary provided – the words “served lacrosse” and “helped grow the game” are abundant.  Doug Luey has truly been a committed and loyal servant to the game of lacrosse.  Long after his days as a player ended - he was a team Coach, President, General Manager, Vice-President and Administrator. He has done this at the local municipal, provincial, national and international levels.

An unselfish person, Mr. Luey has been a mentor to countless others (think hundreds of individuals) involved in the game of lacrosse. Doug Luey is amongst the best ambassadors Ontario and Canadian lacrosse has ever had. Mr. Luey is a person of impeccable honesty and integrity and his long-term commitment to lacrosse is immeasurable.