LANCASTER, Pa. - Franklin & Marshall College has named Todd B. Cavallaro, of Havertown, Pa., its Head Men's Lacrosse Coach. With the appointment, he becomes the 15th coach in Franklin & Marshall's modern lacrosse history.

"We are fortunate to have landed one of the brightest young coaches in the game," said incoming Director of Athletics, Patricia S.W. Epps. "Todd's wealth of experience in recruiting top-caliber lacrosse players in a highly competitive academic environment makes him a natural fit to carry the program forward."

Cavallaro will assume his new post on Monday, July 30.

"I am thrilled to take over a program with such a tremendous academic reputation and athletic tradition," said Cavallaro. "I am excited to get to work with the outstanding coaching staff already in place, and look forward to meeting with all of the guys to share my vision of the future of the program."

Cavallaro comes to Franklin & Marshall after five seasons as the Head Assistant Coach at the University of Pennsylvania. With Cavallaro as the Offensive Coordinator, the Quakers advanced to the NCAA playoffs in 2004 after a 17-year absence from NCAA postseason competition. The 2006 edition of Penn lacrosse also worked its way into the Division I Championship Tournament.

A 1994 graduate of Johns Hopkins University, Cavallaro was a four-year starter and two-year captain for the Blue Jays. He immediately jumped into the coaching ranks, spending four seasons on the sidelines as the Head Assistant Coach and Offensive Coordinator at Washington College (Md.), where he helped the Shoremen to the 1996, 1997, and 1998 NCAA Division III Championship games.

"The Division III Championship weekend is a tremendous experience not just for players and coaches, but for the alumni who tirelessly worked to create a winning tradition," said Cavallaro. "I want all of the guys in a Diplomat jersey, and all of the guys who ever wore a Diplomat jersey to share in that experience."

Following the 1998 season at Washington, Cavallaro was named the Offensive Coordinator at his alma mater. While coaching at Hopkins, the Jays advanced to the Final Four in 1999 and 2000. He also continued in his role of supervising the academic progress of the Hopkins' roster, a role he first assumed while coaching at Washington.

"My team will perform in the classroom," stresses Cavallaro. "The prestige of Franklin & Marshall affords me the opportunity to recruit well-rounded individuals with no uncertainty about their priorities in their collegiate life. We're going to find players who demand success of themselves in all aspects of their lives."

Following his stint at Johns Hopkins, Cavallaro moved on to the Atlantic Coast Conference, where he spent three seasons as the Head Assistant Coach and Offensive Coordinator at North Carolina before departing for Penn. In addition to his experiences in the collegiate ranks, Cavallaro has directed numerous lacrosse camps.

As a player, Cavallaro earned numerous awards including the Turnball Reynolds Award, given to the Johns Hopkins player who best exemplifies the spirit of team play, sportsmanship and leadership. In 1994, he earned the Sydney G. Erlanger Award, presented to the outstanding senior on Hopkins' lacrosse roster, and was named to the Division I South All-Star Team. His prowess on the lacrosse field landed him in the Corning-Painted Post Hall of Fame in 1997. In 2006, he was inducted into the New York Section IV Sports Hall of Fame.

Franklin & Marshall competes under the auspices of the NCAA Division III and the Centennial Conference. The Diplomats field 27 varsity sports teams. The lacrosse team will begin competition on the new North Campus Athletic Field, a lighted, state-of-the-industry facility, this coming season.

2007-07-26