Andrew Athens, Ryan Flanagan and Stephan Maier Round Out Queens University Men’s Lacrosse Staff

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach Jim Fritz is pleased to announce several new additions to his coaching staff. Andrew Athens joins the Royals as the top assistant, while Ryan Flanagan and Stephan Maier join as volunteer assistants. The three coaches join David Streeten who was welcomed over the summer.

“I am excited to have all of them this year on our staff,” said Coach Fritz. “We have been fortunate in the past to have some very strong assistant coaches as well as volunteers so I feel that we will continue that with the guys we have added for this year. I feel that each will really bring something to our program and I am happy to have them on staff, along with David Streeten who joined us earlier in the summer.”

Athens is a May 2011 graduate of Presbyterian College where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. While at Presbyterian, Athens was a three-year varsity winner for the Blue Hose at the attack and midfield positions. The two-year captain is the all-time leader in points, goals and assists in Presbyterian’s Division I history. He also holds the record for most goals scored in a game with seven.

Before attending Presbyterian, Athens was a student at Anne Arundel Community College graduating with an associate’s degree in art in May 2007. He also played lacrosse for the Pioneers leading the team in goals and getting named to the all-region team.

Athens’ coaching experience includes being an assistant varsity men’s lacrosse coach at Northern High School and the head coach of the Southern Maryland All-Star High School Club Team. In addition to that, Athens has been a coach and counselor at the Southern Maryland Summer Lacrosse Camp, the Bucknell Lacrosse Camp, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Lacrosse Camp and the Penn State Lacrosse Camp.

“I’m extremely happy to work for Coach Fritz and to be a part of Queens University of Charlotte Men’s lacrosse program,” commented Athens.

Flanagan is a University of North Carolina graduate who was the seventh pick in the 2011 MLL Draft to the Hamilton Nationals. His accolades include being a three-time USILA All-American, a USILA Scholar All-American, a 2010 USLILA Co-Defenseman of the Year, a LOWES Senior Class Award Finalist and a Tewaaraton Trophy candidate. The new volunteer assistant was also much decorated in the Atlantic Coast Conference being named to the All-ACC Team once, the All-ACC Tournament Team twice, the ACC Honor Roll three times and the All-ACC Academic Team three times.

Flanagan expressed, “it is an honor to be given the opportunity to work with the lacrosse team at Queens. The lacrosse community in Charlotte has been incredibly welcoming and I appreciate Coach Fritz giving me the opportunity to continue my quest to win a national championship here at Queens.”

Maier is a 2006 Molloy College graduate, where he received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Maier transferred to Molloy after playing two years at Nassau Community College where he was named a first team all-American in 2004. During his junior year, he was a co-captain for the Lions and was named to the All-NYCAC First Team in addition to being named All-American Honorable Mention. That same year, Maier led the nation in points with 6.13 per game and in assists per game with 3.25. He was also ninth in the nation in goals per game with 2.88. In 2005 he broke the Molloy school record in points recording 97 on 46 goals and 51 assists. Maier notched 60 points during his senior season that followed.

“I’m thankful to be a part of the Queen Men’s Lacrosse Team,” commented Maier. “I’m encouraged from the great play throughout fall-ball and am excited for the upcoming 2012 season.”

In addition to helping the Royals, Maier will be in the 163rd recruit class for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department.

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