WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The University of Hartford has named William Warder as head coach of the lacrosse program, as announced by Director of Athletics Pat Meiser-McKnett Monday afternoon.
Warder, who has coached at Hobart College, Geneva High School and Avon Old Farms School, will make his collegiate head coaching debut with the Hawks. A standout player at Hobart College as a collegian, he can also draw from four years worth of professional playing experience with both the National Lacrosse League and Major League Lacrosse.
"We are happy to welcome William to our staff," said Meiser-McKnett. "I believe he is the right person to get our lacrosse program back on track."
Warder spent two seasons as assistant coach at Hobart College. As offensive coordinator, he was responsible for all individual player development and opponent scouting. In addition, he was in charge of the recruiting of New York student-athletes. The Statesmen won the 2000 Patriot League Championship and earned a NCAA Tournament berth during his tenure, during which he coached four North-South players and two All-Americans.
A four-year starter for the Hobart College lacrosse team, Warder helped the Statesmen to a Division III national championship in 1993 and a runner-up finish in 1994. He posted a 26-8 record as a starting goalkeeper and ranks sixth all-time in school history in saves. He graduated in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in Comparative Literature and Greek and later went on to earn a master's degree in liberal studies from Nazareth College in 2004.
Warder's professional career spanned four years as he played for a variety of teams. He played defensive forward in the NLL for the Buffalo Bandits (2000), Columbus Landsharks (2001) and Rochester Knighthawks (2003). He was also drafted in the 12th round by the MLL's Bridgeport Barrage in 2001 and played one season as a midfielder.
Warder spent the last three years as head coach at Geneva High School in Geneva, NY. In only three seasons at Geneva, he built a struggling program into a legitimate state contender. His teams have been Section V finalists the past two years, and Geneva ranked 10th in the final Class C New York State poll in 2004. Twenty of his players have moved on to collegiate playing careers, and his program produced two All-Americans, 26 all-league selections and five Western Region Empire picks.
Warder also spent three seasons as an assistant coach and head coach at Avon Old Farms School. The school won two New England championships during his tenure, going 26-2 in his two seasons as an assistant and 13-1 in his one season as head coach.
The Hartford lacrosse team is coming off the worst season in program history. The Hawks went 0-14 in 2004, one year removed from an America East Championship finals appearance.
