Chris Panos

Directing camp this summer is Chris Panos, former head coach of the Queens University of Charlotte men’s lacrosse team.

Chris Panos is a results-driven former elite professional player and now highly successful coach having played lacrosse with intense ferocity at the highest level possible. A 12-year veteran of the National Lacrosse League, NLL World Champion and All Star selection, whose career is decorated with an exhaustive list of accolades, championships, world class accomplishments and a lifetime of top-notch achievements. Chris is a competitor who knows what it takes using discipline, exceptional leadership skills, intense focus, and a steadfast commitment to excellence to reach the highest level of success while displaying strong character, respect, integrity and dignity.

Chris has 40+ years of combined playing and professional level coaching experience, growing up on Long Island, NY, picking up his first lacrosse stick around the age of six. After years of playing in the Sachem School District, Panos earned a prestigious scholarship to play NCAA D-1 lacrosse at Hofstra University.

In 1997, Panos was a National Lacrosse League 1st round draft pick, selected 4th overall for the Boston Blazers. He continued his success and development concurrently in Canada competing in the Ontario Lacrosse Association and the Western Lacrosse Association. From 1997-2006, Panos played in 6 Mann Cups and won the coveted trophy 3 times with the Victoria Shamrocks in 1999, and in 2004 and 2006 with the Peterborough Lakers. In the NLL, Panos played in 3 Champions Cups; with Baltimore Thunder in 1998, Philadelphia Wings in 2001, and Arizona Sting in 2005. He won the coveted Champions Cup in 2001 as a member of the Philadelphia Wings. Panos was also honored to be selected for the Team USA Indoor team on 4 separate occasions, winning the Heritage Cup in 2001, a Bronze Medal at the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships in 2003 and 2007 and won the Bowhunters Cup in 2010. Panos retired from the NLL in 2008 ranking 7th all-time for goals scored by an American born player.
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Upon retirement from an illustrious NLL and international career respectfully, Panos then started his coaching career spending his first 3 seasons as an NCAA Assistant Men’s Lacrosse Coach and Offensive Coordinator at the University of Tampa Spartans from 2014-2016, helping the program become a national powerhouse ranked in the top-five nationally each season. In those 3 seasons, Tampa accumulated a 46-10 overall record, while going 21-0 in the Sunshine State Conference. Tampa’s scoring offense also ranked top-20 in the nation each season. The Spartans picked up three SSC Championships with Panos on staff, while making three NCAA Championship appearances with the first in program history coming in 2014. The Spartans reached the quarterfinals in 2015, while going to the Final Four in both 2014 and 2016. During his three years with Tampa, Panos coached 30 All-SSC Team honorees, 8 All-Americans and 2 SSC Players of the Year.

Panos then started his 7 year coaching stint at NCAA D-2 Queens University of Charlotte in North Carolina, serving as the Assistant Men’s Lacrosse Coach, Offensive Coordinator and Recruiting Director from 2016-18. Then in 2019, he took over as Head Coach, where the Royals enjoyed a remarkable season with the best record in program history, advancing to the NCAA tournament for only the second time ever. The Royals are among the nation’s top NCAA D-2 programs and consistently rank in the Top 15. Additionally, the program has reached the coveted SAC Championship in 2017 and 2019. The 2020 and 2021 seasons were cut short due to COVID-19, but the team was well on its way to successful campaigns under his leadership. In 2022 he led the Royals to a 12 win season and SAC semi-final appearance. In 2023 he was instrumental in the programs transition to the NCAA D-1 landscape into the nationally competitive ASUN Conference, where the team was immediately competitive. During his Queens tenure, Panos has coached numerous All-Conference and All-American players while at Queens.

Since November of 2017, Panos earned the honor of being an Assistant Coach and Offensive Coordinator for the Greece Lacrosse Men’s National Team competing in the 2018 World Games in Netanya, Israel. The team finished 19th out of 46 countries in their first and only appearance in the World Games and were recognized as one of the most competitive teams throughout the tournament. He also served in that role for the 2022 European Lacrosse Championships in preparation for the upcoming Olympics in 2028. Additionally, Panos was recently named Head Coach of the Greece National Box Team, set to compete in the World Lacrosse Box Championships in September 2024.

In 2007, Panos founded his company, Panos Lacrosse Inc. A world-class platform for aspiring youth and high school lacrosse players. He also offers exclusive private training, hybrid camps, clinics, as well as recruiting services for experienced players. Panos is also heavily involved in local and national charity projects, community service endeavors and enjoys giving his time to help create awareness through donations and fundraising events. Chris encourages integrity, class, respect, discipline and accountability, both on and off the field. These are standards Panos not only strives to instill in his young players, but also holds himself personally accountable to an extremely high standard of character as well.
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After completing a decade in NCAA coaching at the highest level as a Divison 1 and 2 Head Coach, Panos is currently the Associate Athletic Director and Head Coach for Post Graduate lacrosse at the prestigious Fork Union Military Academy in central Virginia since June 2023.