July 6, 2007

Erie, Pa. - Mercyhurst College men's lacrosse coach Chris Ryan has been named United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Division II Coach of the Year. Ryan led the Lakers to a 13-2 record, a No. 1 ranking, and a trip to the Division II National Championship game.

Ryan guided Mercyhurst to the best season in program history as the Lakers advanced to the NCAA Semifinals for the fourth time in five years. But Mercyhurst finally got over the hump with a 13-10 win over New York Institute of Technology to advance to the national title game for the first time in school history. The Lakers were ranked No. 1 overall for each of the final five weeks of the season and went undefeated in the East Coast Conference to claim the league championship.

Mercyhurst was heavily awarded throughout the year as the Lakers received eight all-conference awards, seven conference Player of the Week awards, and five All-American awards. As well, Joe Thon was named USILA Division II Defensive Player of the Year and was the first Mercyhurst player ever selected in the Major League Lacrosse draft, being selected in the fourth round by the Rochester Rattlers. Ryan was also awarded the Champions For Education Coach of the Year Award locally by the Erie Otters Hockey Organization.

Ryan has a career record of 75-22 in seven seasons at Mercyhurst and 10-1 in conference play. It is the second time he has been named USILA Coach of the Year after receiving the award in 2003 as well.

University of Albany head coach Scott Marr was named Division I Coach of the Year and Western New England College head coach John Klepacki was named Division III Coach of the Year.