Madison, NJ (October 18) – FDU-Florham women's lacrosse head coach
Evan Mager has resigned to become the first women's lacrosse coach in program history at Division I Rider University, as announced by Co-Interim Directors of Athletics
Kristin Giotta and
Pat Scarpello. A search for his successor will begin immediately.
"I want to thank Evan for his dedication to our student-athletes, the women's lacrosse program and the athletic department for the last three years," said Giotta. "His players have excelled both on the field and in the classroom and we thank him for setting up the program for continued success. We wish him all the best in his new endeavors as a Division I head coach."
"We wish Evan the best in his new position as the inaugural head coach at Rider," said Scarpello. "Evan did a tremendous job elevating the women's lacrosse program here at FDU. He brings a wealth of knowledge with him to Rider and Rider is lucky to have him."
In three seasons as the head coach of the women's lacrosse program at FDU-Florham, Mager guided the Devils to an overall record of 34-7 and an undefeated 16-0 mark in the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom). In his first full season on the sidelines, Mager and the FDU-Florham Devils were crowned champions of the league after defeating Stevens in the MAC Freedom final, 15-14, and reached the second round of the NCAA Division III women's lacrosse national tournament after a 16-0 campaign. At the conclusion of the season, Mager was named as the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Division III Boardwalk Regional Coach of the Year and MAC Freedom Coach of the Year.
Mager saw both
Katie Walsh (Marlton, NJ) and
Kylee Garcia (Branchburg, NJ) combine for six All-America accolades in two seasons from both the IWLCA and USA Lacrosse Magazine and 16 student-athletes earn All-MAC Freedom honors. The Devils also took home five major awards from the MAC Freedom in two seasons as
Lizzy Escudero (Bridgewater, NJ) and Walsh were named Attacker of the Year and Midfielder of the Year, respectively in 2022, while in 2021 Walsh was named both Rookie of the Year and Midfielder of the Year, while
Aliyha Elk (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) was named as Defensive Player of the Year.
"I would like to first thank the entire staff at FDU for the constant support that I have had since day one. Most of all, my appreciate goes to the current student-athletes and alumni who have dedicated countless hours to continue the success of the FDU-Florham women's lacrosse program," said Mager. "FDU-Florham and the Morris County area have been home for my career for the past 15 years. Without FDU in my life, I would not have the opportunity that has been presented recently at Rider. The success I have had while coaching at FDU and the amazing young women I have had the privilege to work with are things I will never forget."
In the classroom, Mager's student-athletes earned nine IWLCA Academic Honor Roll, three Academic All-MAC accolades and 32 MAC Academic Honor Roll awards.
"I am excited to be named the first-ever women's lacrosse coach at Rider University and will never forget my roots and why I have this opportunity now," said Mager. Thank you all for everything FDU! Once a Devil, Always a Devil!"
For the latest on FDU-Florham Athletics, follow the Devils via social media (@FDUDevils) on
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FDU-Florham is currently running a campaign in honor of former Devils men's basketball head coach, men's golf coach and athletic director Roger Kindel.
All donations will go directly towards funding a complete renovation of the basketball and volleyball court inside the Ferguson Recreation Center with his name dawned on both sides. If you are interested in reading more about the campaign and/or making a donation to the cause, please follow the link here: https://support.fdu.edu/athletics/devils/giving/roger-kindel
