Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/16/15
From Press Release
Jamie Lockard, a former head coach at Wheaton and Widener, has been named Albright’s head men’s lacrosse coach Director of Athletics Rick Ferry announced today.
Jamie Lockard
“I was excited about Albright when the program started, said Lockard. “I really felt this was a program that could be great in a short time because of its academic reputation, the facilities and the type of student-athlete they are able to recruit.
“If I was ever going to leave Wheaton I knew that it would be a special place because of what we had developed here. But for me, Albright is that special place and I look forward to continuing the success they have enjoyed.”
Lockard becomes the second head coach in Albright history and inherits a program that has averaged over 14 wins a season and made two ECAC postseason appearances in its first four years of existence. Albright finished the 2015 season with a 13-4 overall record and advanced to the conference tournament for the fourth consecutive season.
“The conference is getting better every year. It has great coaches and great programs and that has improved the overall play for all the schools. It won’t be easy, but our goal every year will be to win a Commonwealth championship.
“I’ve watched Albright play several times and I was impressed with the toughness and athleticism of the team. There is a lot of talent coming back next season and we can win with this group.”
Lockard brings a career overall record of 91-64 following his stints at Wheaton and Widener.
“As we spoke with people within the lacrosse community, it became apparent that Jamie would be the ideal candidate for the Albright lacrosse program,” said Ferry. “He impressed us with his integrity and his proven ability to recruit. I believe our players will enjoy playing for Jamie because he has a passion for not only coaching lacrosse, but also for teaching the life lessons attached to the student-athlete experience. I look forward to working with Jamie as he takes the Albright lacrosse program in the next step of its development.”
Lockard served as the head coach at Wheaton College in Norton, Mass., for the past four seasons. He led the Lyons to a program-record 11 wins in 2012 and was also named the Pilgrim League Coach of the Year. Wheaton advanced to the conference tournament in three of his four seasons and played for the conference championship in 2012.
He mentored 18 all-conference players, 17 academic all-conference student athletes and also had one player recognized as the conference player of the year during his tenure.
Lockard began his coaching career at his alma mater Widener where he served as the assistant coach for one season before being named the head coach of the Pride in 2006.
He compiled a 58-36 overall record as the Widener head coach and led the Pride to four NCAA Tournament appearances.
Widener reached the NCAA Tournament in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011. His 2011 team broke the school record for wins in a season and also won a school-record 13 consecutive games during the season.
He was named the Middle Atlantic Conference Coach of the Year in 2010 and during his five years at the helm of the Pride program he coached 31 all-conference players, had four players named to the North/South USILA Senior All-Star game and had three student-athletes recognized on the Philadelphia Inquirer Men’s Lacrosse All-Academic team.
Lockard earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Widener in 2003 and ranks as one of the top players in school history. He was a two-time USILA All-American selection at Widener and was named the Middle Atlantic Conference Player of the Year in 2002. Additionally, he was named First Team All-Middle Atlantic Conference and First Team All-ECAC in 2002 and 2003