By JACKSON WANG
Sports Editor
Published August 30, 2011
As the new Golden Knights prepare for their very first lacrosse season at Saint Rose, the search for a new head coach has been completed. According to athletic director Cathy Haker,
Tim Robbins has accepted the head coach position for men’s lacrosse.
“After a very successful recruiting cycle, our new head coach will have a solid recruiting class to work with in setting the foundation for the new men’s lacrosse program at Saint Rose,” said Haker. “This is a unique and exciting opportunity for both the coaching staff and this special incoming class.”
Robbins was an assistant coach at Springfield College, prior to accepting the head coach position at Saint Rose. Robbins had also spent a year coaching at Siena College in 2009, when the program won the MAAC Championship and received a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Prior to coaching at Siena College, Robbins was a member on the coaching staff at Bucknell and Wheaton Colleges.
Mark Cometti was serving as intern head coach of men’s lacrosse for the Golden Knights during the search for a new head coach. Cometti was doing head coaching duties and was very active in the recruiting process.
“Interim Head Coach Cometti has been very attentive to the ongoing preparation for the start of this first season and has maintained contact with the incoming class,” said Haker. “Coach Cometti will be an invaluable resource and asset to the new head coach as they work together to build the lacrosse program.”
Cometti has helped recruit some 30 student-athletes for the Golden Knight’s first lacrosse season. Many of these student-athletes were recruited from renowned lacrosse areas such as Syracuse, Long Island and Maryland.
The first recruiting class for men’s lacrosse also includes three NCAA Division I transfers, Nick Longo from Towson University, Joe Pompo from University at Albany and Brett McAuliffe from the U.S. Military Academy.
Lacrosse is currently the fastest growing sport in the United States. Many high schools and colleges are adding lacrosse to their athletic programs. In the last 30 years, the number of student-athletes who are a part of lacrosse at the NCAA Division II level has nearly tripled.
“Adding lacrosse will enhance the college’s enrollment numbers by attracting men who want to compete in lacrosse during their college career,” said Haker. “The addition of these men also helps with the gender balance at the College and will enhance diversity by attracting students from many different geographical areas.”
Lacrosse serves as the 18th varsity program sponsored by the college, which draws and serves over 330 student-athletes at Saint Rose.
“Growth and change have been characteristics of our athletics program at Saint Rose and I expect that this trend will continue,” said Haker. “Certainly, with the recent completion of the Plumeri Sports Complex, women’s lacrosse would be [a] contender worth considering,” when asked if women’s lacrosse could become a part of Saint Rose athletics.
Coach Robbins and assistant coach Cometti met with players of the first recruited class for men’s lacrosse this past weekend.
The Golden Knights will play a limited schedule this upcoming season, before playing a full schedule in the 2012-13 season in the NE-10 conference. The Golden Knights will open the 2011-12 season on February 29 against Dominican College.
