Gannon University Athletics

ERIE, Pa. - Former Gannon women’s lacrosse head coach Steve Wagner will return to Gannon after a one-year hiatus it was announced Wednesday afternoon by Gannon Director of Athletics Mark Richard.

Wagner will begin his duties immediately. He assumes the position left vacate by former head coach Alicia Groveston, who resigned January 12 to accept the head coaching position at Grand Valley State.

Wagner is a familiar face to the Gannon community and lacrosse fans. He previously served as the Gannon women’s lacrosse head coach for six seasons, compiling a 61-30 record from 2003-08. The Rochester, N.Y., native spent the 2009 season as an assistant coach at NCAA Division I Connecticut.

“This is a great opportunity for Gannon to have a veteran coach leading its women’s lacrosse program,” said Richard. “Our program was extremely successful and among the nation’s best during Steve’s previous tenure at Gannon. The student-athletes had a great track record in the classroom and on the field. We are excited to welcome Steve back.”

Wagner’s Gannon teams averaged 10.2 victories per season and were nationally-ranked throughout his tenure. He ranks sixth among all active NCAA Division II coaches in winning percentage (.670) and eighth in victories (61).

“I am glad to be back at Gannon and coaching at the NCAA Division II level,” said Wagner. “Gannon has always felt like home to me. The program has always been successful and I think we can continue that tradition. The most important thing is to continue providing our student-athletes with the best four-year experience possible as the Gannon women’s lacrosse tradition has always done.

“Alicia Groveston (former head coach) did a great job with the program last year and has brought in a large, talented freshmen class. We want the student-athletes to continue doing well in the classroom and on the field.”

Gannon players have been awarded All-America honors 15 times and all-region accolades 21 times during Wagner’s six seasons as head coach. In the classroom, Gannon was just as good under Wagner. The program posted the highest team grade-point average in the country in 2006-07. In his final season as head coach, the Lady Knights produced a combined 3.35 team GPA in the fall of 2007 and a 3.28 team GPA in the spring of 2008.

Wagner’s final season in 2008 proved to be one of the best in school history. The Lady Knights reached double digits in victories for the fourth consecutive season, finishing 11-4. The squad capped the season with a 13-11 come-from-behind victory against rival Mercyhurst after trailing 8-3 at halftime. It was Gannon’s fifth consecutive victory against the Lakers and improved Wagner’s record against Mercyhurst to 5-1.

Wagner initially came to Gannon after spending the 2002 season as the top assistant at St. Bonaventure in Olean, N.Y. Along with Atlantic-10 Head Coach of the Year Tony Zostant, Wagner helped guide the Bonnies to a 7-9 record in the program’s third season at the varsity level, including a 13-10 victory over Gannon on Oct. 5, 2002. St. Bonaventure’s seven victories set a school record for most victories in a season.

Wagner coached the defense and goalkeepers at St. Bonaventure. He was also responsible for calling the defensive plays and advance scouting. Under his direction, two Bonnies received major awards. Catherine Mellon earned Academic All-America status and Kelly Chevez was named Atlantic-10 Rookie of the Year.

Prior to his stint at St. Bonaventure, Wagner spent the 2001 season at SUNY-Brockport. He served as the defensive coordinator for the Golden Eagles, who finished 19th nationally in goals allowed per match. SUNY-Brockport posted a 10-5 record and advanced to the SUNYAC semifinals.

Wagner’s coaching experience also included stops at St. John Fisher College, Nazareth College of Rochester and Brighton Central School District.

The Gannon women’s lacrosse team was ranked 10th in the 2010 Lacrosse Magazine’s annual NCAA Division II preseason rankings released in mid-January. The Lady Knights return nine letterwinners and six starters from last year’s 12-4 squad. The program has reached double digits in victories five consecutive seasons and has never recorded a losing season in its 14-year history. The squad is scheduled to open the season February 28 at nationally-ranked Limestone.