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Binghamton has hired Ed Stephenson to oversee its newly-added Division I
men’s and women’s varsity lacrosse programs. He was selected from a pool
of current men’s and women’s college coaches from across the country.
Widely perceived as one of the nation’s top young coaches and recruiters,
Stephenson will initially handle all the coaching and administrative duties
for both programs. Prior to the competition season in the spring, the
University will begin a search for a full-time women’s coach, and
Stephenson will then assume the role of men’s coach. Both programs will
compete in the America East Conference in 2002.
A Baltimore, Md. native with nearly 20 years of lacrosse experience,
Stephenson comes directly from Hobart College, where he served as the
Statesmen’s top assistant last season. That squad, nationally-ranked in
mid-season, finished as runner-up in the Patriot League. Prior to that,
Stephenson spent five years as an assistant at University of
Maryland-Baltimore County. During that span, the Retrievers went to the
NCAA Division I tournament in back-to-back years, including the program’s
first-ever appearance in 1998. Stephenson was UMBC’s defensive coordinator
and recruiting coordinator, and also taught in the physical education
department.
Stephenson enjoyed a brilliant playing career at Towson University, capping
his four-year tenure with Division I All-America honors in 1989.
Stephenson received three straight all-conference honors, and as a senior
captain, led the Tigers to the NCAA tournament for the first time in
program history. He then played professionally for the Pittsburgh Bulls of
the Major Indoor Lacrosse League (MILL) from 1990-92, earning all-star
honors in 1990. Stephenson will be inducted into Towson’s Athletic Hall of
Fame this fall.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Towson in 1992.
Stephenson then served as an assistant coach at Towson from 1993-95, during
which time the Tigers again advanced to the NCAA tournament.
Binghamton men’s lacrosse will play a five-game conference slate with
fellow America East opponents Albany, Hartford, Quinnipiac (affiliate
member), Stony Brook and Vermont. The conference tournament will be a
four-team single-elimination championship with the winner gaining the
automatic bid to the NCAA Division I tournament. The women, meanwhile,
will play a round-robin format against America East programs Albany, Boston
University, New Hampshire and Vermont. The complete men’s and women’s
lacrosse schedules will be announced at a later date.
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