Max Vota was a standout attack on the ADVNC Sacramento ‘24 team who is going to play for Colorado College, starting this Fall.

Max grew up in a lacrosse family. His uncle, Paul and dad, Eric, identical twin brothers, started coaching at the local high school then became involved in helping to shape the local youth lacrosse community in their cities (El Dorado Hills and Folsom respectively).

“My dad had a stick in my hand pretty much right after I was born,” Max said. “As soon as I could walk, I’d be on the sideline next to him while he coached the local kids. Then, as soon as I was old enough to play, I started playing.”

“I first played lacrosse in High School at Acalanes in the East Bay,” said Eric Vota. “I then played in college at Chico State. I was in love with the game when I moved to Sacramento and started coaching kids, along with my brother. I started playing catch with my oldest son, Mason and then Max as soon as they were old enough to stand up.”

Max believes deeply in the sacred traditions of lacrosse. “Lacrosse is called the ‘medicine game’ and I couldn’t agree more with that,” he said. “For me, the joy of lacrosse is all about having fun with my buddies. You throw it around with your friends and someone finds the back of the net. You can be competitive out there, that’s fun too. But my first goal is always to just have fun. What draws me in is the healing aspect of the game.”

“When Paul and I started coaching, our goal was simply to try and get kids playing the game and having fun with it,” Eric said. “We were intentional to not scream at a kid if they missed a ball. We just wanted them to keep coming back and having fun with the sport.”

Yet, Max credits his outlook on lacrosse to his mom, Ceka. “The having fun part of lacrosse really comes from her,” Max said. “Ever since my 9U days, I would get in the car after the game, and the only thing I heard her say was: it was fun watching you play. She’s always been focused on the fun aspect. She never critiqued my game, like I would hear other parents do with their kids after games. It was always about me being a kid and having fun playing.”

“It brings me joy to hear that Max recognizes those little things, that I guess for him, really aren’t little things,” said Ceka Vota. “Eric and I always made a point to make sure Max knew that we were there to watch him play and have fun playing. It didn’t hurt that he’s a competitor by nature and loves to play.”

Max joined ADVNC Sacramento in the summer after his 8th grade year. “All my best buddies were playing ADVNC at the time, so I decided to join them,” Max said. “It was a very different environment from what I was used to, but I got better coaching, and it was very fun. I kept playing with those same guys all the way through high school. We became basically the best of what Sacramento lacrosse has to offer, and it has been so much fun.”

Max was chosen to play on the ADVNC NDP team, and played for 2 years, before deciding it wasn’t for him. “My favorite thing with ADVNC, by far, is playing every summer at the Bend Lacrosse Classic, in Oregon,” said Max. “It’s the most enjoyable experience I’ve had playing lacrosse. Playing with all my guys during the day, then going for a float down the river and heading into the town and playing games at the arcade. It’s so enjoyable for me to be around that group of guys.”

When it came time for Max to consider colleges, he wasn’t sure what he wanted. He considered DI and DII programs as well as a number of other club programs. He wasn’t sure what part of the country he wanted or what size school and program he desired to attend. “We were out in Colorado with ADVNC playing in the Western Shootout and decided to go tour Colorado College,” said Max. “I thought, this place is sick. It had everything I wanted. So I reached out to Coach Horowitz (The Tigers Head Coach), but never heard back. So then I reached out to Coach Rotelli (ADVNC Founder & CEO). He and Coach BJ Grill got me in touch with Coach Horowitz, which was amazing. Everything they told me about the school and their lacrosse program was everything I needed to hear. Then I went back for another visit and it was the best weekend of my life. The players on the team liked doing all the same stuff I like to do. They listen to the same music. They love playing hacky sack, like me. I was nervous I would never find that in a college and a lacrosse team. Plus, it’s a beautiful spot in the mountains, and it’s hard to beat. I decided that was the place for me.”

“I’m super proud of Max for finding this opportunity,” said Ceka Vota. “The school is spectacular, and they offer what Max wants. It’s a small school and I think he will thrive in that setting. I’m just thrilled for him.”

Max is also excited to play with some friends from ADVNC, Matt Bailey, Logan Chapman and Jackson Lesher.  “Knowing those guys were going to Colorado College was a big factor in my decision as well,” Max said. “They are good guys .. good, solid people. They like doing fun things that I enjoy, like playing frisbee, hacky sack and hanging out. So I thought, why not go play with them at a high level. I’m ready to go play fun, competitive lacrosse at a high level in college, and challenge myself. I’m really ready for that, and super excited for the opportunity.”

Looking back on his journey, Max has this advice for younger players. “Hit the wall .. that’s my biggest thing,” Max said. “I had a coach in Folsom named Marc Sackmann (also an ADVNC coach). He made all of us keep track of our wall reps on the Snypr app. We would do thousands of reps on Snypr. But now, you see how many of us are going to play at all these great colleges. So I would tell kids to become one with your stick. Make it an extension of your body. And play the game the way it’s intended. It’s the creators’ game. It’s the medicine game. It is meant to heal you. That’s what this game is for me, and that is super important. I will play that way till the day I die.”