DENVER – University of Denver men’s lacrosse head coach Bill Tierney was named the Coach of the Year by Mile High Sports Magazine in its Ninth Annual Mile High Sports Awards. Senior Mark Matthews (Oshawa, Ontario) was also chosen as a finalist for the College Athlete of the Year as the Magazine celebrated its 100th issue this January.
The magazine recognized Tierney’s incredible progress in only two years at the helm of the DU lacrosse program, including the program’s first Final Four appearance, the first NCAA Tournament contest played west of the Mississippi River and a school-record 15 wins in 2011. Coach Tierney beat out Denver Broncos head coach John Fox, Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl, CSU-Pueblo football head coach John Wristen and Regis Jesuit High School men’s basketball head coach Ken Shaw.
Matthews was recognized by Mile High Sports as a finalist for College Athlete of the Year. The 2011 Second-Team All-American and Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year was among four finalists beat out by University of Colorado track student-athlete Emma Coburn for the annual award.
The Pioneers return the majority of their Final Four team from last season, including Matthews, and sophomore Jeremy Noble, DU’s first-ever NCAA All-Tournament Team selection. Also returning are senior captain and 2010 All-American Alex Demopoulos, juniors Chase Carraro and Cameron Flint, along with sophomore goaltender Jamie Faus, all of whom received All-American honorable mention honors after the 2011 season.
Season tickets for the 2012 University of Denver men’s lacrosse team are now on sale and available for purchase. Fans have the option to purchase full-season ticket packages for $75, or experience the game from a premium seating location by purchasing season tickets in the Peter Barton Stadium Gold Club. Individual game tickets will be released in early February. If you have any questions please contact Season Ticket/Premium Seating Manager Eric Vasquez at (303) 871-7460.