Albany Women's Lacrosse Coach Lindsey Hart Resigns for 'Personal Reasons'
from press release
ALBANY, N.Y. – University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced Thursday the resignation of head women’s lacrosse coach Lindsey Hart. Associate coach John Battaglino has been promoted to the head coaching position.
"We are appreciative of Lindsey's contributions to the women's
lacrosse program," said McElroy said. "She has been an excellent
representative of the university and its values. John’s
appointment will provide for a seamless transition as the program
continues to ascend. He is a proven winner who has the leadership
and vision that will positively impact our student-athletes."
Hart, who is leaving the coaching profession for personal reasons,
recently completed her fifth season as the program’s head
coach. She guided the Great Danes to their most accomplished
campaign in the program’s history. UAlbany won its
first America East Conference regular-season title, posted a
school-record 13-3 mark, and was ranked in the national top-20 for
the first time. In addition, Nikki Branchini became the first
lacrosse athlete at the Division I level to earn All-America
recognition.
Hart had a 46-37 career record as UAlbany’s head
coach. She steered the program to at least eight wins in all
five seasons and four consecutive America East postseason
appearances, including the championship tournament final in
2007. In 2009, the Great Danes registered its first winning
campaign in nine years and defeated their first-ever national
top-20 opponent. A native of Vineland, Ontario, she captained
Team Canada to a bronze medal for the first time in 27 years at the
2009 FIL World Cup (Federation of international Lacrosse).
Battaglino, who becomes the sixth head coach in the
program’s history, was named UAlbany’s associate coach
in September 2009. In his first season, the Great Danes
ranked second nationally in scoring offense at 15.06 goals per game
and fourth in scoring margin. UAlbany had four of America
East’s top-10 goal scorers, while Taylor Frink led the
conference in points per game.
Battaglino previously served as a Syracuse University assistant
coach for five seasons and head coach at Bethlehem Central (N.Y.)
High School for nine years. At Syracuse, the Orange made four
NCAA Tournament appearances and won 67 games. In 2009, Syracuse
captured a share of the Big East Conference's regular-season title
with a 14-5 record and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinal round.
Three SU players earned IWLCA All-America honors.
In 2008, Battaglino guided the Orange to the highest-scoring season in NCAA history. Syracuse set records for points (541) and goals (380) and led the nation in goals per game (18.01) and points (25.64). Katie Rowan was Division I's top scorer and tied the NCAA single-season mark with 69 assists. In the process, Syracuse reached the NCAA semifinals, captured the Big East regular-season and tournament titles, and finished 18-3 overall. The Orange also won the 2007 Big East crown and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals with the nation's second-ranked offensive attack.
At the high school level, Battaglino led the Eagles to four New York State regional championships and six Section II titles. He coached the program to the Class A state semifinals in 1999, 2002 and 2004 and the state finals in 2003. Battaglino, who compiled a 148-31 career record, was recognized as coach of the year from 1999-2004 by U.S. Lacrosse. Bethlehem Central High had 17 high school All-Americans during his tenure.
Battaglino earned a B.A. in political science from Siena College in 1986. He went on to earn a master's in environmental planning from UAlbany in 1992, before receiving another graduate degree in education from Russell Sage College six years later. He was inducted into the Adirondack Region Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2008 and served on the selection committee for the 2006 U.S. Lacrosse National Team.
