Schunke Tabbed to Helm D-III Lax Startup
from press release
HAMBURG, N.Y. -- On December 16, 2009, Richard
Schunke became the head coach of the men's inaugural lacrosse
program at Hilbert College. The official start to the newly formed
Division III squad will not be until fall practice in 2010. So,
Schunke has a year to get things in order before his first face off
in the spring of 2011. The Hilbert alumnus is very excited about
the opportunity to coach a brand new program.
"Rick has the knowledge, enthusiasm and recruiting contacts that
align perfectly for a coach starting a new program. His background
as an outstanding player at the collegiate level will resonate with
student-athletes he coaches and recruits as he builds a competitive
Division III lacrosse program," commented Richard Walsh, the
director of athletics at Hilbert College. "I'm very pleased he's
joining our athletic department and we all look forward to the
excitement of having an NCAA DIII Lacrosse program here at Hilbert
College next Fall."
Schunke arrives at Hilbert College following several year of
coaching at the high school level. Since 2000 Schunke has coached 2
high school All-Americans and 9 All League players at both West
Seneca East (2000-02) and Frontier (2002-09). Coach Schunke is a
volunteer youth coach with the Hamburg Knights Lacrosse Program
(12U/17U) as well as an experienced NFLOA lacrosse official at the
high school and indoor Box lacrosse leagues.
"Since my graduation from Hilbert (2001), I've witnessed the
College improve its facilities and expand its campus footprint.
These positive changes combined with the opportunity to recruit the
talented athletes in our community to help establish a brand new
lacrosse program gets me excited," said Schunke. "I love the fact
that Hilbert has two lacrosse fields on campus, which is another
plus for recruiting, and I really look forward to creating my own
stamp on Hilbert lacrosse."
At Orchard Park High School Schunke was named a first team All ECIC
and honorable mention All Western New York athlete after his teams
won the Section VI title two years, in addition to finishing as a
state semi-finalist in 1996.
His collegiate years found him competing at two Division I
institutions (Canisius College – '97, '98 and Gannon
University - '99) before he returned home to join the family
business. Schunke held a full time job at Schunke Insurance Agency
(West Seneca, NY) and attended Hilbert College to complete his
bachelor's degree in Business Administration. It was during this
time, that Schunke began coaching at the high school level.
Schunke currently serves as Vice President of Schunke Insurance
Agency and resides in West Seneca, NY.
