Fairfield, CT - Fairfield University Director of Athletics Eugene P. Doris announced that Mike Waldvogel has been named the head women’s lacrosse coach. Waldvogel takes over for interim head coach Beth Loffredo, who has decided to pursue other opportunities.
“We are pleased to have a coach with a legendary lacrosse career in the person of Mike Waldvogel lead our program,” said Doris. “He was an integral part of the success our program saw this past season and I am confident that will continue. ”
Waldvogel served as the assistant coach for the Stags this past season, and has a storied coaching legacy on his resume. He has been associated with the sport of lacrosse, as a player or coach, for more than 40 years, including coaching at the Division I level for over three decades. From 1980-2002 he was the head coach at Yale University, where he is the winningest coach in program history. He led the Bulldogs to three NCAA Tournaments and three consecutive Ivy League crowns from 1988-90.
He was inducted in the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1996.
“I am excited to remain a part of the Fairfield family,” said Waldvogel. “I firmly believe we have the pieces in place to continue the success that we saw this past season and I look forward to that challenge.”
As an undergraduate at Cortland State, Waldvogel was a two-time First Team All-America selection. He went on to play for the US National Team in 1974 and 1978, before coaching the team in 1990.
Waldvogel has served the game of lacrosse in the NCAA and on a national level during his career. From 1989-19998 he was the secretary/treasurer of the USLCA, with a membership of over 5,000. He served as the US delegate to the International Lacrosse Federation from 1993-2001. From 1989-94 he was a member of the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship Committee and served on the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Rules Committee. Last year he was an NCAA observer of officials in the New England Region.
Waldvogel takes the reigns of the program from Loffredo, the all-time leading scorer in program history. As the interim coach she led the Stags to a program-best 17-2 record, which included a 17-game win streak, a MAAC regular season title, and the team earning votes in three consecutive weeks in national polls.
“Beth has left her mark as a player and now as coach of Fairfield Women’s Lacrosse,” said Doris. “I wish her the best of luck as she moves forward and know that she will continue to be a strong supporter of the program she loves.”