NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Following last month's announcement of the addition of a men's lacrosse program to its varsity lineup, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' Athletic Director Laura Mooney announced Monday the hiring of Kevin Pezanowski as the first men’s lax coach in school history.

 

Pezanowski brings more than 11 years of head coaching experience to MCLA. He comes to the College from Lyndon State University in Lyndon, Vt., where he served as the head men's lacrosse coach.

 

"Kevin's coaching experience and enthusiasm for developing student-athletes made him an ideal candidate for our head coach position," Mooney said. "I am confident in his ability to recruit quality student-athletes and to instill a positive, winning culture while building the program. Men's lacrosse is a perfect complement to our existing offerings and I am excited to watch this team take shape."  

 

Pezanowski's head coaching experience made him a viable candidate from a nationwide search.  His career has included head coaching stints at Curry College (1998-2002) in Milton; Division II Franklin Pierce University (2006-09) in Rindge, N.H.; and Lyndon State (2014-18).  He was twice named the North Atlantic Conference's coach of the year, claiming the honor in 2015 and 2016. Last season, he led the Hornets to a 7-9 record and a berth into the conference tournament.

 

He earned his bachelor's degree from Springfield College in physical education before completing his master degree at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, in the same field.  While at Lyndon State, Pezanowski served as its athletic department's intramural director, and also was an adjunct instructor.

 

The men's lacrosse program will begin play at the varsity level in the spring of 2020. Pezanowski will use this academic year to build his roster and recruit athletes to the new program. The veteran coach said he is excited to get started in August and head out on the recruiting trail.

 

"I would like to thank Laura Mooney and the hiring committee for the opportunity to lead the first men's lacrosse program at MCLA," Pezanowski said. "I believe that MCLA has so much to offer student-athletes, and I am eager to begin the foundation work and recruit players who will have a unique opportunity to be the Trailblazers who shape the future of MCLA men's lacrosse."

 

The addition of men's lacrosse to the Trailblazer lineup brings the schools offerings to 14 varsity sports, seven each on the men's and the women's sides.

 

He will begin his time at MCLA on Aug. 1.