Hart Named Inaugural Coach at Augustana
from press release
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. - Kyle Hart has been tabbed to direct
the first ever men's lacrosse team at Augustana, it was announced
today by Mike Zapolski, director of athletics. Hart, who has spent
the last three seasons as the assistant coach at Muhlenberg College
in Allentown, Pennsylvania, will assume the head coaching duties
immediately. The inaugural Augustana men's lacrosse season will be
in the 2011-12 school year.
"I would like to thank Augustana, President Steve Bahls and
director of athletics Mike Zapolski for providing me with the
opportunity to become the first head coach of men's lacrosse," said
Hart, who was also an all-conference player at Muhlenberg.
"Augustana has a proud tradition in athletics and I look forward to
being a part of the continued success."
The board of directors at Augustana voted in May to add men's
lacrosse for the 2011-12 campaign and that comes just six months
after the school added women's lacrosse, which will also begin play
in 2011-12.
"Kyle made a positive impression on everyone during his campus
visit last week and I am pleased that he has accepted the challenge
to build our men's lacrosse program," said Zapolski. "As a
student-athlete at Muhlenberg, Kyle was part of the startup process
for that program and that experience will serve him well at
Augustana. Much of Kyle's efforts in the last three years have been
focused on recruiting, and that will be his primary task over the
course of the next 12 months."
Hart, who graduated from Muhlenberg in May of 2007 with a Bachelor
of Arts degree in international studies with concentrations in
global trade and international business. He was twice selected to
the all-conference team in the Centennial Conference and was
Muhlenberg's first ever all-conference selection. He was twice
elected team captain and he came to Muhlenberg after a successful
high school career at Massapequa High School on Long Island where
he was a two time all-county selection.
He assumed the assistant coaching position at Muhlenberg after
graduation and he worked in a variety of aspects for that job. He
also served as the recruiting coordinator and worked as game
manager and athletic facility monitor.
"I would like to thank Muhlenberg, particularly head men's coach
Chris Bissinger for providing me with the leadership and resources
to begin this exciting journey," said Hart.
