Photograph by John Strohsacker
BALTIMORE — US Lacrosse today announced Ohio State University head coach Nick Myers as head coach of the 2016 U.S. Men's National Under-19 Team. Myers will lead the team in its quest for an eighth consecutive world title at the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Championship, July 7-16, 2016, in Coquitlam, British Columbia.
Myers has led Ohio State to a 50-43 record in his six years at the helm. He led the Buckeyes to the first conference postseason and Creator's Trophy titles in program history, with the squad earning a berth each year a conference tournament was held. In 2013, Ohio State claimed the ECAC tournament championship and a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament en route to a quarterfinal appearance. The 2014 season saw the Buckeyes claim a share of the ECAC regular season crown.
Myers has coached players to 11 USILA All-America honors, 29 all-conference nods and six league player of the year awards. Under his tutelage, Ohio State players have earned the first six USILA Scholar All-American selections in program history, as well as 102 Academic All-Big Ten honors, 145 Ohio State Scholar-Athlete awards and 35 Academic All-ECAC nods.
Prior to becoming the head coach at Ohio State, Myers served as head assistant coach and offensive coordinator for the Buckeyes from 2006-08. He was previously the head assistant coach at Butler University from 2003-05 and volunteer assistant coach at Ohio State from 2001-03. As a player, Myers was a two-time captain at Springfield (Mass.) College, earning three all-NEWMAC selections (1999-2001), conference player of the year (2000) and USILA DIII third team All-American (2001).
"We are excited to have Nick lead our 2016 U.S. Men's National Under-19 Team," said Tony Leko, US Lacrosse Director of National Teams. "In a very deep and qualified pool of applicants, his knowledge, passion, and overall character stood out from the rest. We are confident Nick will continue the winning tradition of this team while exhibiting the core values of this organization."
The U.S. Men's U19 team has amassed a 41-2 all-time record in international play, claiming gold in each of the seven U19 World Championship events to date (1988, 1992, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2008, 2012). Team USA defeated Canada 10-8 in the gold medal game to capture the 2012 World Championship in Turku, Finland.
"I am honored to be selected to lead the U.S. Men's National Under-19 Team in the 2016 FIL World Championship," said Myers. "I would like to thank US Lacrosse and the selection committee for this incredible opportunity. It is humbling to follow the likes of coaches such as Tim Flynn, Chuck Apel and all the men that have been so successful in leading the U.S. Men’s National Under-19 Team. The growth of our game across North America and the world over the past four years is undeniable. The 2016 championship in Coquitlam, British Columbia, will present the greatest challenge this team has ever faced in an effort to bring home an eighth consecutive world title."
A native of Kennebunk, Maine, Myers graduated from Kennebunk High School in 1997. He was a two-time high school All-American and participated in the 1997 North-South All-Star Game.
Coach Myers and US Lacrosse will now begin the process of identifying assistant coaches and support staff for the 2016 U.S. men's U19 team. Applications will be available on USLacrosse.org on Friday, February 6, with selections to be announced in early March. Player tryouts will be held June 26-28 at Stevenson University in Owings Mills, Md.
The world champion U.S. men's national U19 team trains and plays using best-in-class products provided by Nike (apparel and footwear), STX (equipment) and Cascade (helmets). Nationwide and Marriott International are official sponsors of Team USA.
Follow the U.S. men's national U19 team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @USLacrosse and using hashtag #USAMLAX.
About US Lacrosse
US Lacrosse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, is the national governing body of men's and women's lacrosse and the home of the nation's fastest-growing sport. US Lacrosse has more than 430,000 members in 68 regional chapters across the country. Through responsive and effective leadership, US Lacrosse provides programs and services to inspire participation while protecting the integrity of the sport. Bookmark, like and follow US Lacrosse at uslacrosse.org, fb.com/uslacrosse and @uslacrosse, respectively.
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Lane Errington
Senior Manager, Marketing
US Lacrosse
lerrington@uslacrosse.org
410-235-6882 ext. #126