CANTON — Tom Ryan has been named St. Lawrence University's Head Women's Lacrosse Coach on December 2, as announced by Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Franco Bari.

"We are extremely excited to announce the hiring of Tom Ryan as our next head women's lacrosse coach," said Bari. "Tom has clearly demonstrated success as a coach at all levels and has been an instrumental educator and coach to both of our Saints lacrosse programs through the years. We are truly enthusiastic and confident in Tom's abilities to lead the women's lacrosse program to new heights".

Prior to his selection as head coach, Ryan has been a valued member of the St. Lawrence athletic department for 11 years, serving as an assistant men's coach since 2013 and an assistant women's coach since 2015.

As the men's assistant, he worked as the offensive and recruiting coordinator for the Saints. He was named the IMLCA Division III Assistant Coach of the Year in 2016 after helping the men's lacrosse team reach the semifinal round of the NCAA Championship. He developed skills and designed offenses consistently resulting in a nationally ranked team, created six team building exercises and yearly traditions fostering camaraderie, and attended over twelve national tournaments/showcases per year leading to twenty All-Americans.

As an assistant to the women's program, he served in interim role during coach transitions to sustain a committed group of athletes and bolster a positive environment, developed offensive systems and enhanced skill development through practice planning and individual/small group sessions, and assisted in recruiting by serving as primary contact to inform, excite and engage potential of high caliber committed athletes.

"I am excited for this opportunity, and I would like to thank Franco Bari for his support throughout the hiring process," said Ryan. "I have been impressed by the team's leadership this fall and about the commitment level and talent of the players on the team. The program has a storied history, including being NCAA Finalists in 1990, and I will strive to make our alumni and the Laurentian community proud. I would also like to thank Mike Mahoney for all that he has done for me as the men's assistant over the past 11 years."

Ryan had a nine-year professional career, playing for the 2001 World Champion Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League and the New Jersey Pride of Major League Lacrosse.  Prior to turning pro, he was an All-America attackman at Bowdoin College, where he remains the school's all-time leading scorer with 315 points.

Ryan's coaching career includes three head coaching stops, including at Mount Ida College in 1997, professionally with the Boston Blazers of the NLL and Team USA's indoor squad from 2006-2011. He also worked at Belmont Abbey College, a Division II school in Charlotte, N.C. and was a women's assistant coach at Division I Loyola and Towson University from 1999-2004.

He amassed 202 points in 95 career professional games, was on Team USA's Heritage Cup winning team in 2002, and has been inducted to the Hall of Fame at both the Canton High School and Bowdoin College.

A native of Canton, N.Y., Ryan earned his bachelor's degree from Bowdoin in psychology in 1993. He earned his master's degree at Connecticut College, where he served as an assistant coach under St. Lawrence University Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Fran Shields '79.