Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/26/17
From Press Release
Immaculata University Interim Director of Athletics and Recreation Janelle Cronmiller announced the hiring of Niko Amato (La Salle, Duke’s LC) as the head men’s lacrosse coach and manager of intramurals. Amato has a distinguished background as a player, and comes to Immaculata from Chestnut Hill College where he was an assistant coach and defensive coordinator.
Nike Amato
“I am pleased to welcome Niko Amato to Immaculata University,” Cronmiller said. “We are extremely excited to have Niko join the department as a leader and mentor for both our men’s lacrosse team and intramural program. Niko has a niche for finding and developing talent and will bring great energy to his new roles.”
Most recently at NCAA Division II Chestnut Hill for the last three years, Amato was responsible for all defensive game and practice plans, managing defensive player personnel and playing time, defensive film breakdown, and scouting opposing team’s offenses.
Amato mentored four Griffins defensive players to All-East Coast Conference (ECC) honors, and Chestnut Hill’s goalkeeper earned USILA/Nike Division II All-America Third Team, ECC Goalkeeper of the Year, First Team All-ECC in 2017. In the classroom, the Griffin’s goalkeeper was named the ECC 2016-17 Scholar-Athlete for men’s lacrosse, and he was a 2017 USILA/Nike Division II Scholar All-American.
“I am extremely excited for the future of the Immaculata University men’s lacrosse program,” Amato said. “I am honored to join and represent such a storied school. I can’t thank the University enough for having the faith in me to continue to build the Immaculata lacrosse program, and I cannot wait to get to work!”
During his collegiate days at the University of Maryland, Amato was an award-winning goalie. He helped lead Maryland to the NCAA Division I Tournament all four years, including two appearances (2011, 2012) in the finals. Amato was named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team in 2011. He was a three-time USILA All-American, earning First Team status in 2014 to follow up Second Team in 2013 and Honorable Mention in 2012. Amato also captured the prestigious Ensign C. Markland Kelly, Jr. Award in 2014 as the nation’s most outstanding NCAA Division I goalie.
Amato is one of only two Maryland players to earn All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) all four years (2011-2014) as a player. He was chosen as the ACC Defensive Player of the Year his senior season in 2014.
Following graduation from Maryland, Amato was selected in the fourth round as the 29th overall pick in the 2014 Major League Lacrosse (MLL) draft by Florida. He has played with the Chesapeake Bayhawks since the 2015 season.
Amato began his coaching career as a middle school and high school club coach. He worked as a goalie coach with the Conestoga girls varsity team for two years. He was the founder of the Explosive Lacrosse Club, and Director of Duke’s Lacrosse Club. He also was the defensive coordinator for the Under Armour High School All-America Senior Game in 2014.
Amato was the Phillylacrosse.com Player on the Year in 2008 when he led La Salle to the final state championship under the old sanctioning by the Scholastic Lacrosse Association when all schools in the state competed together. Amato also helped lead the Exolorers to the first PIAA state title in 2009.