E-mail this pageMeet the Men's Lacrosse Staff
P.J. Kavanagh, Head Coach
P.J. Kavanagh was promoted to his current post on May 30, 2006. He originally joined the Plattsburgh State men's lacrosse coaching staff as defensive coordinator, serving in that capacity the previous two seasons.
The program continues to improve with Kavanagh at the helm with 17 victories in his first two seasons, which is the most in any two-year span in school history. In 2008, the Cardinals produced three all-State University of New York Athletic Conference selections--Frank Sangiovanni, Stephan Marino and Matt Maes--for the first time ever. Sangiovanni also became the first Cardinal to be named to the USILA North/South Division III All-Star Game. Tom Cerny set a school single-season record with 40 assists, and Luke Weidlein became Plattsburgh's first 30-30 man (32 goals-30 assists) as well as the fastest 100-point scorer in the program's history. In addition, numerous team records were set or tied including 208 goals scored, 135 assists, 642 ground balls, 343 points and four conference wins. The man-up offense ranked second in the nation with a 48.1 conversion rate, which led the SUNYAC.
In Kavanagh's first year as head coach, the 2007 Cardinals set team records for victories (9-6), winning percentage (.600), road wins (5) and goals scored (208). Plattsburgh ranked eighth in NCAA scoring offense (and first in the SUNYAC) at 13.87 goals per game, which was another school benchmark. Sangiovanni, as a junior, led SUNYAC and was 10th in the NCAA with 3.20 gpg, and freshman all-conference pick Kyle Norchi was second in SUNYAC and 23rd in NCAA scoring average at 4.07 points per game.
Kavanagh helped goalkeeper Billy Hughes rank second in the SUNYAC with 10.46 saves per game in 2006. Under Kavanagh' tutelage, Hughes became Plattsburgh's all-time saves leader after only two-plus years wearing the Red and White, finishing with 490.
With a wealth of coaching experience, Kavanagh came to Plattsburgh after coaching 10 years at New England prep schools, Bridgeport Barrage of professional Major League Lacrosse (MLL) and Henninger High School, his prep alma mater, in Syracuse, N.Y. He has mentored several college and high school All-Americans.
A 1993 graduate of Colgate University, Kavanagh played four seasons for the NCAA Division I Red Raiders. He was the starting goalie for two years before moving to the long stick defensive midfield position for his final season. He was a team captain and the most improved player as a senior. He majored in geology and minored in geography.
Kavanagh is writing his thesis titled "Leadership Principles in NCAA Division III Intercollegiate Athletics," working toward a master's degree in leadership and administration from Plattsburgh State.
He lives in Peru, N.Y., with his wife Elizabeth and sons Sean (3) and Aidan (1).
Q&A With Coach Kavanagh
Q--What is your vision for the program?
A--I want to bring Plattsburgh State Lacrosse to a level such that contending for a national championship is a viable opportunity each season. Several teams here on campus enjoy that level of success and there is support here for successful athletics. I intend for the men's lacrosse team to enjoy that success.
Q--What kind of play can we expect to see this Spring?
A--I love to let the guys play. From its origins lacrosse has been a game that has been played up and down the field at a fast pace. Today's game can be much slower and more deliberate, but I have found that the guys have much more fun pushing tempo. Some of the best teams in college lacrosse, like D-I Virginia and D-III Salisbury, push tempo and that style of play has led to several NCAA Championships for those programs. We intend to be a high-scoring, dynamic and entertaining team.
Q--What do you look for in a lacrosse recruit?
A--It seems like there are two kinds of high school lacrosse player--the single sport, lacrosse-concentrating guy and the multi-sport athlete. While we are definitely interested in players who concentrate solely on lacrosse and excel at the sport, I am particularly interested in attracting the multi-sport athlete to campus. The high school senior who not only excels at lacrosse, but is a good football or soccer player, for example, is a guy who I know loves to compete. And he is probably one of the better athletes on his team.
Q--How do you support academics?
A--The academic profile of a student-athlete is generally better than that of a non-athlete here at Plattsburgh State, and the men's lacrosse team has enjoyed success in this area. For example, in the Fall 2007 semester the lacrosse team earned a collective 2.79 GPA, our best ever semester GPA. We are doing well, but we can always do better. Veteran players with a cumulative GPA below 2.5 and all first year players meet with me on a weekly basis to discuss their academics. In addition, these players ask their professors to complete progress reports on a bi-weekly basis. By keeping track of the academic progress of the guys, we can address any problems as they arise.
Contact Information
For more information about Men's Lacrosse at Plattsburgh State, please contact:
Head Coach
P.J. Kavanagh (Colgate, 1993), 1st season
Office: 215 Memorial Hall
Phone: (518) 564-3139
E-mail: kavanapk@plattsburgh.edu
Assistant
Kenny Pierson (Plattsburgh State, 2005)
Phone: (518) 564-3139
E-mail: piersok@plattsburgh.edu
Student Assistant
Matt Cukro