DENVER – University of Denver men’s lacrosse head coach Bill Tierney announced today that former Marist College men’s lacrosse assistant coach Frank Abruzzini will join the Pioneers’ coaching staff for the 2013-14 season as the volunteer assistant. While at Marist Abruzzini’s served as the offensive and recruiting coordinator for the last two seasons.
“We are really excited to add Frank to our staff,” Tierney said. “He brings great knowledge and positive energy to our program and will be very popular with our student-athletes. Frank’s passion for the game and desire to be a part of the DU program will help us rise to even greater heights. We look forward to his insights and adding his personal touch to making us better.”
Abruzzini will join associate head coach Matt Brown and assistant coach Dylan Sheridan on the coaching staff. He will assist Brown with the offense, work with the goalies, evaluate opponents and be instrumental in game preparation.
“I am very excited and thankful for the opportunity to work with coach Tierney and his staff at the University of Denver,” Abruzzini said. “I am ready for the challenge to do whatever it takes to help this program get better every day in the pursuit of greatness. I look forward to building strong relationships with all of the current players and I can’t wait to get to work.”
In 2013, Abruzzini helped lead the Red Foxes to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Regular Season Championship and an overall record of 10-4 (5-1 MAAC). He led the offense, which scored 11.93 goals per game in 2013, ranking 10th nationally and first in the MAAC. He coached the 2013 MAAC Offensive Player of the Year and USILA Honorable Mention All-American Connor Rice as well as the 2013 MAAC Rookie of the Year Joe Radin. Following the season both Rice and fellow attackman Jack Doherty were selected to play in the USILA North/South Senior All Star Game.
“I would also like to thank Keegan Wilkinson and all the coaches, players and recruits that are a part of the Marist Lacrosse family for believing in me and each other over the past two years,” Abruzzini said. “We built strong relationships and shared many great memories that will surely last a lifetime.”
Abruzzini also assisted Wilkinson to earn the 2013 Anaconda Sports MAAC Coach of the Year. In his first season on the Marist sidelines in 2012, he led the Extra Man Unit to finish sixth in NCAA Division I at 46 percent.
Prior to Marist, he spent the 2011 season as top Assistant Coach at Marywood University under Mic Grant, helping the Pacers to an 11-7 overall record and an appearance in the CSAC Championship Game. Abruzzini got his coaching start under the late Paul Schimoler at Saint Michael’s College from 2007-10. He held the role of Offensive Coordinator in his final three years with the Purple Knights, leading the extra man unit to finish fourth in NCAA Division II in scoring percentage (39%) in 2010.
As a player from 2002-06, Abruzzini played midfield at Saint Joseph’s University. A native of Maplewood, NJ, Abruzzini was a two-year starter for the Hawks and was named captain during his senior year. As a high school player for Newark Academy, Abruzzini was an All State and All Conference player as a senior in 2002 and was selected to play in the North/South Senior All Star Game.
