Jan. 10, 2006

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y.-Marist men's lacrosse assistant James Simpson has been named head coach, Marist Director of Athletics Tim Murray announced Tuesday. Simpson brings a wealth of experience as a player and coach at St. Anthony's High School on Long Island and Salisbury University in Maryland.

Simpson has seen success on the national stage, as he was a member of the 2003 and 2004 Salisbury teams that won Division III National Championships. He was also a captain of the 2004 squad that captured the program's second consecutive national title.

Upon graduation from Salisbury, Simpson was named an assistant coach at the school. With the experience he brought from his playing days, Simpson was able to help the Seagulls to a third straight national title.

"I have terrific confidence in James," said Murray. "I feel he is a rising star who has a great passion for lacrosse and a strong understanding of the recruiting that is necessary to continue the growth of our men's lacrosse program."

The Red Foxes won the MAAC title in 2005 and lost to eventual national champion Johns Hopkins in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Marist's first-ever appearance on ESPNU. Marist will begin the 2006 campaign at Lehigh on February 25 at 1 p.m.