Nov. 30, 2005

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y.-Marist head men's lacrosse coach/Director of Intramurals Andrew Copelan will join the University of Maryland's men's lacrosse coaching staff, the school announced Wednesday.

"I will always appreciate the opportunity that Marist College provided me," said Copelan. "It has been a privilege to coach these fine young men. I shall always be honored to be associated with the players, parents, alumni and friends of the Marist men's lacrosse program."

In his two years leading the Red Foxes, Copelan brought instant success to the program. After being named interim head coach in 2004, Copelan led Marist to the MAAC regular season championship, finishing with a 10-7 overall mark and a perfect 8-0 conference record. The season was Marist's best since 1988 and the 10 wins were the most since the 1986 campaign. For his efforts, Copelan was named MAAC Coach of the Year.

In 2005, Marist again made history as it won the MAAC Tournament Championship and made the first NCAA Tournament appearance in school history, falling to eventual national champion Johns Hopkins in the first round.

While guiding the Red Foxes, Copelan has mentored one of the best players in the MAAC Lacrosse League, junior Keith Detelj (Sayville, N.Y.). Detelj was named the MAAC Rookie and Offensive Player of the Year in 2004 and was named the MAAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player in the 2005. Copelan, a Pittsford, N.Y. native, was a four-year starter at Bucknell University. As a midfielder, Copelan helped lead the Bison to four consecutive Patriot League titles and the program's first-ever NCAA berth in 2001. As a senior, he earned All-Patriot League team accolades and was a four-time selection to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll. He was also chosen as an alternate for the annual North-South game, a national senior all-star game.

A national search for Copelan's successor will begin immediately.