DENVER – The Denver Outlaws have agreed to terms with Jim Stagnitta to become the fifth head coach in franchise history, the team announced on Tuesday. He replaces Tom Slate, whose contract expired after the 2011 season. Stagnitta comes to Denver after spending the past 10 years (2002-11) as the head coach at Rutgers University.
“Jim Stagnitta brings more than 30 years of lacrosse coaching experience to the Denver Outlaws,
General Manager Tony Seaman said. “He is someone that I am very comfortable with to lead our team. I have known Jim as a college player and as an assistant coach for me at the University of Pennsylvania. I have admired his outstanding career as the head man at Washington and Lee, as well as at Rutgers. I am very excited to have him with us for the upcoming season."
"I am honored to have been asked to serve as the coach for the Denver Outlaws,” Stagnitta said. The opportunity to be associated with such a respected organization and to work with the highest caliber lacrosse players is very exciting. I appreciate the opportunity the Outlaws and Tony Seaman have offered me, and look forward to working towards the challenge of bringing the Steinfeld Cup to the city of Denver."
Prior to coaching at Rutgers, Stagnitta was the head coach at Washington and Lee University for 12 seasons (1990-2001) and spent three seasons (1987-89) as an assistant coach at his Alma matter, the University of Pennsylvania. During his collegiate coaching career, Stagnitta has compiled an overall record of 194-124 (.610 pct.) and has led his team to seven NCAA Tournament berths and two Final Fours.
In 2003, Stagnitta was named the NCAA Coach of the Year after leading Rutgers to the largest turnaround in college lacrosse and finishing with a 10-5 record while leading the school a postseason tournament bid for the first time in 12 years.
Under his guidance, Washington and Lee finished with winning records in each of the 12 seasons that he coached the squad and never lost more than five games in a season.
A three-year letterman as a defenseman at the University of Pennsylvania, Stagnitta led the Quakers to two Ivy League Championships, and one NCAA Final Four. He is a former president of the U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association and is the owner/operator of MVP Camps.
About the Denver Outlaws
Part of Major League Lacrosse’s 2006 western expansion, the Outlaws have made the playoffs in each of their six seasons and have consistently led the league in attendance, averaging more than 10,000 fans per game. The organization is managed by Edge Sports & Entertainment – a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Denver Broncos Football Club. Outlaws 2012 season tickets are available now. For more information, contact the Outlaws ticket office at 303-OUTLAWS (688-5297) or visit www.DenverOutlaws.com.
About Major League Lacrosse
Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premiere professional outdoor lacrosse league, commenced play in June of 2001. The MLL is comprised of eight teams located in Boston, Charlotte, Chesapeake, Columbus, Denver, Hamilton, Long Island and Rochester. Major League Lacrosse was founded by Jake Steinfeld and is headquartered in Boston, Mass. For more information, please visit the official league website at www.majorleaguelacrosse.com.
About Edge Sports & Entertainment
Created in 2005, Edge Sports & Entertainment is a full-service event sports and entertainment company focused on the development of live events, event production, and broadcast. Edge Sports & Entertainment is owned by Pat Bowlen.