​Steve Koudelka

Steve Koudelka has established the Lynchburg men's lacrosse program as a national powerhouse in his 22 seasons on the sidelines after coming to Lynchburg prior to the 1997 season.

During his tenure, Koudelka has recorded an overall record of 273-120, including 20 straight winning seasons. Lynchburg has advanced into the NCAA tournament in each of the last seven campaigns. He was named the 2015 USILA Division III Coach of the Year at the annual IMLCA Nike Awards Luncheon.

Lynchburg again reigned supreme in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference in 2018, winning the league tournament for the seventh time in program history. The Hornets accrued a 12-9 record against one of the toughest schedules in Division III and reached the NCAA tournament.

Constructing what could be argued as the two of the toughest schedules, Koudelka has led the Hornets to a combined record of 27-16 over the course of the 2016 and 2017 seasons. In both seasons Lynchburg made ODAC championship game and NCAA appearances, advancing as far as the quarterfinals in 2017.

The 2015 campaign was the most successful in program history. The Hornets finished 21-3, won the ODAC title, and advanced all the way to the NCAA Division III Tournament finals. Lynchburg won four tournament games en route to the finals and had a 19-game winning streak. Koudelka was named the All-State Coach of the Year for his efforts.

In 2014, Koudelka led the Hornets to the ODAC tournament championship, an NCAA berth, and a share of the ODAC regular season title. On March 16, he won his 200th victory for Lynchburg, by defeating Colorado College 10-9. Lynchburg made the NCAA Second Round for the third-straight year.

The 2013 edition did not win the ODAC title, but it made no difference as the team was awarded an at-large berth and a home game in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Lynchburg defeated St. Mary's (MD) College and then beat ODAC rival Roanoke College in second round to advance to the National Quarterfinals.

2012 was a banner year for Koudelka. The program set the record for most wins in a season with 17, which included a 16-game winning streak, the longest in Lynchburg history. For these efforts, he was named ODAC Men's Lacrosse Coach of the Year. The Hornets place 11 members on the All-ODAC team, including player of the year, Joe Lisicky. Lynchburg won the program's fourth conference title and advanced to the NCAA tournament.

In 2011, Koudelka was voted on by his peers as the ODAC Men's Lacrosse Coach of the Year following the squad's second-straight 13-win season and trip to the conference title game. The 2008 squad boasted a program record 16 wins and also established a school record by winning 14 straight games en route to the ODAC Championship. The 2007 season saw the Hornets win 13 games for the third-straight season. In 2006, the Hornets finished 13-4 overall and were ranked #2 in the nation at midseason, the highest ranking in program history. Lynchburg won its second ODAC title in 2005 with an 11-10 win over Roanoke. Lynchburg defeated Denison College in the second-round of the NCAA Division III Tournament, the team's first victory in NCAA Tournament in history, and was a goal away from reaching the Final Four.

The 2004 team finished 9-5 overall and in 2003, the Hornets won their first ODAC title and advanced to the NCAA Division III tournament for the second time in program history. The 2003 team also finished with a 12-5 record and ended the campaign with a No. 6 national ranking. His 2002 team set a new school record with a seven-game winning streak and reached No. 13 in the NCAA Division III poll. Lynchburg finished 11-4 overall. Koudelka's 1999 squad posted an 11-5 mark en route to the program's first-ever NCAA tournament appearance. The 2000 campaign saw the Lynchburg men earn a share for second place in the ODAC, their best ODAC finish since 1984.

Koudelka was selected to coach at the 2000 North-South All-Star game and was the past-president of the US Lacrosse Men's Division Coaches' Council Executive Committee. He is currently the chairperson of the NCAA Division III Men's Lacrosse Championships Committee.

Prior to assuming the head post at Lynchburg, Koudelka spent three years as graduate assistant coach at Gettysburg College, where he was a two-time All-America goalkeeper. He was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in the fall of 2006.

The Long Valley, N.J. native earned his bachelor's degree from Gettysburg in 1993 and his master's degree from Western Maryland College in 1996. He was one of just 12 goalkeepers invited to try out for the 1998 U.S. World Team. Koudelka played professionally for two seasons with the New Jersey Pride for Major League Lacrosse. Koudelka and his wife, Amy, have three children, Holly, Billy and Mary.