There’s a new face at the helm of the men’s lacrosse program at Delaware Valley University.
That face belongs to Will Lawlor.
Lawlor has an impressive resume.
Most recently, he was an assistant coach at Lebanon Valley College, working under well-known coach John Haus. Lawlor helped bring in 36 recruits in two seasons and developed four All-Middle Atlantic Conference players. He aided in guiding the Dutchmen from a two-win season in 2020 to eight wins in 2022.
Prior to his time with Lebanon Valley, Lawlor spent two seasons as the head coach at Northern Arizona University in the Men’s College Lacrosse Association. He led the Lumberjacks to the SLC-II championship and MCLA Nationals in 2019, their first-ever appearance in the tourney.
His began his college coaching career at Alvernia University, where he was hired as the offensive coordinator and faceoff coach before doing a stint as the interim head coach. He left Alvernia to become the offensive coordinator at Division I University of Arizona.
Before making the leap to the college ranks, Lawlor coached at Pope John Paul II and Lower Merion.
He is a 2015 graduate of Rosemont College, where he received a degree in communications after transferring from Ohio Wesleyan. He was a two-year starter for the Ravens, setting single-game program records for assists with seven and points with nine, and earned the Colonial States Athletic Conference Sportsmanship Award in 2014.
He played for PIAA powerhouse Radnor in high school.
“When I was an undergrad, I transferred to Rosemont in only its second year of existence as program, so as a player I have experience with a young program,” Lawlor said. “I think we can win right now. The MAC (Middle Atlantic Conference) Freedom Division is one of the best in the country and this is a newer program. We need consistency; that’s what going to attract more talented recruits.
“It’s all about getting the numbers up. The previous coaches did a fantastic job bringing in good players but the numbers are lower so right now it’s about getting bodies.
“Everyone wants this program to grow and thrive, and to do that we need to establish ourselves as consistent contenders. Del Val could be like Cabrini or Ohio Wesleyan. Those are lofty goals, but they’re achievable.
“It’s all about getting kids here, and this is a beautiful campus in a beautiful town, so it’s an easy sell.”
He is the third head coach at Delaware Valley since the program’s inception in 2015. Last year, the Aggies were 6-11 overall, 3-5 in the MAC Freedom Division.
“I’m looking forward to getting on the field,” Lawlor said. “When they were interviewing for the position, they told the candidates that the team has lesser numbers than they’ve been used to but I truly believe we have the tools in place to not have a rebuilding year but to be competitive.
“Myself as a player, I’ve gone through coaching changes so I have a player’s perspective on that. I’m trying to be meticulous about learning what’s important to the players and keeping the things that they want.
“My dream is to be here for years to come and continue to grow the program and achieve those goals. I just can’t wait to get on campus and get to work.”
Delaware Valley Athletic Director Dave Duda is pleased to bring Lawlor on board.
“Will brings tremendous energy and vision to our men’s lacrosse program,” Duda said. “He has clear parameters and principles for directing a program and I’m confident he will focus on the total development of each student athlete in respect to our university’s core values.
“We welcome Will and look forward to working with him in pursuit of the lofty goals he’s set for the DelVal men’s lacrosse team.”
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