HAVERFORD, Pa. – After seven years as head men's lacrosse coach, Colin Bathory '99 is resigning from Haverford College's Athletic Department effective August 31. Bathory joined the Fords as an assistant coach in 2006 before being promoted to head coach in 2010.
"Coaching at my alma mater has been an honor I will always cherish," explained Bathory. "I want to thank the administration, my fellow coaches, the alumni, and current student-athletes for the chance to lead a program that has meant so much to me. Leaving this position, at an institution I have been a part of for 16 years both as a student and as a coach, has been the hardest decision I have had to make in my professional career."
During his 11 years as an assistant and head coach, Bathory coached the Fords to their first Centennial Conference Tournament appearance and advanced to three consecutive NCAA Championship Tournaments. That run of success is highlighted by the team's first Centennial Conference Championship during Bathory's first season as head coach in 2010. That same year his team advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals before an overtime defeat at the hands of Salisbury.
"I am extremely disappointed to be losing a coach of Colin's caliber," said Haverford College Director of Athletics Wendy Smith '87. "Colin worked tirelessly to promote the scholar-athlete and his head coaching career at Haverford, book-ended by the team's run to the NCAA quarterfinals his first year and the team's representation at this year's Ambler Scholar-Athlete ceremony, epitomized this. We wish Colin the best of luck in his future endeavors as we look forward to building upon the foundation he has established."
Bathory won 49 games with the Fords as head coach and saw 19 players achieve All-America accolades during his time as a coach at Haverford. He also guided seven players to Scholar All-America status during his time as head coach while 55 players were named to the Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll during the past seven seasons.
The team's latest All-American, Eric Caliendo '16, was recently awarded an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship and became just the second player in program history to achieve this prestigious recognition.
Bathory got his start at Haverford College as a member of the Class of 1999. A four-year letter winner and captain of the 1999 team, Bathory was honored as the College's Gregory Kannerstein '63 Award recipient during his senior season. He earned the lacrosse team's "Swan" (senior leadership) and "Gopher" (100-plus ground balls) awards after setting the College's single-season record with 128 ground balls during his senior season. His 305 career ground balls still rank third in school history.
A national search for Bathory's replacement will begin immediately.