Don LaSala
Head Men's Lacrosse Coach - Hartwick College
Don LaSala will begin his eighth season as head coach of the Hawks' men's lacrosse program in 2021-22.
Under LaSala's leadership, Hartwick returned to the Empire 8 Conference playoffs for the third consecutive time in 2019. The Hawks won 10 games for the first time since 2011, won a program record six conference games, and tied a College record for consecutive victories (8). LaSala led senior Garrison Wojtas to USILA Honorable Mention All-America honors, the Hawks' first All-American since 2005.
In 2018, LaSala's Hawks made their second straight appearance in the Empire 8 semifinals. It marked the first back-to-back conference playoff appearances since 2004-2005. Long-stick midfielder Eric Schweitzer was also an all-region and Empire 8 selection for the second straight year.
In his third season, LaSala piloted the Hawks to their first winning season (8-7) since 2011 and first Empire 8 playoff appearance since 2005. The Hawks also tied a program record for conference wins (5). LaSala would help Schweitzer to all-region and Empire 8 First Team honors.
Prior to Hartwick, served as the head men’s lacrosse coach at Adrian College in Adrian, MI for three seasons. He led the Bulldogs to three straight conference titles and three consecutive NCAA Division III Tournament appearances.
LaSala led Adrian to an overall record of 44-9 in his three seasons at the helm. In addition, the Bulldogs had an unblemished conference record under his tutelage. He guided them to a 9-0 mark in the Midwest Lacrosse Conference in 2012 and 6-0 records in two seasons in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA).
Adrian won a school record 17 games in 2012 during LaSala’s first year as head coach. He then piloted the Bulldogs to their first NCAA Tournament victory in program history with a 14-11 win over Otterbein.
LaSala began his coaching career with one-year stints as an assistant at his alma mater of Brockport (2005-06) and Washington and Jefferson College (2006-07). He then spent four seasons as an assistant at Clarkson University from 2007-2011. While with the Golden Knights, he served as the team’s recruiting coordinator and was the defensive coordinator from 2007-2010. LaSala was Clarkson’s offensive coordinator in 2011 before taking the reins at Adrian.
A 2005 graduate of The College at Brockport, LaSala received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He also obtained a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from St. Lawrence University in May 2011.