Elite 2025

Andy Pons

President

Andy serves as the Director of Lacrosse Operations for Thunder lacrosse. In this capacity, Coach Pons assists our coaching staff and Board of Directors as he oversees and organizes our camps, clinics, annual evaluations and acts as recruiting coordinator in support of our high school coaches and players. Andrew is also the head coach at Woodward Academy. Andy was named Atlanta Metro South Coach of the Year in 2015. He has an extensive background in lacrosse being born and raised in Baltimore, MD. He graduated in 1998 with a degree in physical education from McDaniel College, where he was a three-sport athlete. (Soccer, Basketball, Lacrosse) He won the Athlete of the Year in 1988. He also was a three-sport All-Metro athlete at John Carroll and is a member of his high school Hall of Fame in three sports. Andy spent two years as an assistant coach under Hall of Famer, John Tucker, with the Boston Cannons of the MLL. He has spoken at numerous coach’s conventions and clinics around the country having recently presented at the US Lacrosse Georgia coaches clinic in January. Coach Pons has been married to his high school sweetheart Chrissy for twenty-seven years and has three children. His middle son, Mac, played lacrosse at the University of Maryland, where he and the Terps won the 2017 National Championship. Fear the Turtle!!!!

Mac Pons

Defensive Instructor/ Coach

Coach Pons grew up in Bel Air, Maryland where he lettered four-years for Boy’s Latin. He helped lead the Lakers to the 2013 MIAA “A” Championship game and finished his senior season with 43 ground balls. At Maryland, he helped lead the Terps to one national title, three title game appearances, and four semifinal appearances. His senior class had an overall record of 61-14 (.813). Appeared in 64 games with 21 GBs and 18 CT.

Shayne Jackson

Coach

Mike Hart

Coach

Eric Overbay

Coach

Rick Lewis

Thunder Elite and Thunder National Program

Coach Lewis has been coaching lacrosse for over 25 years at all levels. In 2017, he was named U.S. Lacrosse High School Assistant Coach of the Year for the State of Georgia. He attended Norwalk High School in Norwalk, CT and graduated in 1982 as an All-State Defenseman. In 1983 he attended West Point Prep and was a member of the lacrosse team. Coach Lewis graduated Rutgers University 1987 and received a Master’s in Education at the University of Bridgeport. While at Rutgers from 1984-1987, he started as close defenseman all four years. He led his team to two NCAA tournament appearances. He earned honorable mention All-American honors for two years and participated in North/South Senior All-Star Game in 1987. Rick is currently an Assistant Coach for Defense at Lambert High School.  In recent years, Rick has led the Lambert Varsity team to four state championship games and two championship titles (2016 & 2018). Prior to joining the Lambert staff in 2014, Rick had coached at St. Pius X Catholic High School 2007-2012 and also spent five years coaching at South Forsyth High School. Rick is actively involved in coaching youth and high school Lacrosse at all levels, most recently with the Atlanta Rage program (Lambert). Rick and his wife Theresa reside in South Forsyth with their three children: Ricky, an assistance coach at Army West Point, Erin, a UGA grad and Kyle, a freshman lacrosse player at Lynchburg College.