WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – After leading the Lycoming College men's lacrosse team to its first 10-win season in eight years, head coach Chris Scanlon was honored as the Robert Darrow Curry Coach of the Year at the 33^rd annual Athletics Hall of Fame Ceremony on Saturday, June 2, at the Keiper Recreation Center.
 
Scanlon, in his fifth year as head coach of the Warriors, helped the Warriors to the second-largest improvement in program history, as the team has jumped from a 5-9 2017 season to a 10-7 record in 2018 after a 6-5 triple-overtime win over Lebanon Valley on Monday, April 30, in the first round of the MAC Commonwealth Championship. He has overseen a rebuilding process that took the team from three wins in 2015 to helping lead the team to its first playoff appearance since 2014 and its first 10-win campaign since 2010 during the 2018 season.
 
The Warriors improved across the board in 2018, averaging 9.68 goals per game and allowing 9.50 after scoring 7.61 per game and allowing 11.60 in 2017. The team also improved in the faceoff circle, winning 45 percent after winning 39 percent in 2017.
 
Sophomores Tyler Thompson (Napean, Ontario/Mother Teresa) posted 53 points on the season (16 points, 37 saves) and Drew Collins (Victor, N.Y./Victor) finished the year with 51 (35 goals and 16 assists) and junior Andrew Ream (Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel) led the team with 57 points off 48 goals and nine assists. The three players with 50 points marked the first time since 2014 that the team had a 50-point scorer (Matt McCaffer, 55) and the first time since 2000 that three players reached the mark (Mike Bonnes, 77; Todd Lightner, 77; Shawn Rosa, 86).
 
The midfield was led by senior Garrett Huff (Corning, N.Y./Corning East), who posted 23 goals and 12 assists, to earn First Team All-MAC Commonwealth honors.
 
Defensively, junior goalkeeper Michael Tenant (Baltimore, Md./Calvert Hall) earned first-team all-conference honors after finishing third in the league with a .569 save percentage and 11.82 saves per game. He was fourth in the league with a 9.34 goals-against average.
 
In five seasons as head coach, Scanlon has risen to third in school history with 29 career wins, sitting behind Gene Peluso (1997-01, 41) and Brian Anken (2007-10, 36). Scanlon is the fourth Warrior bench boss to earn the conference's coach of the year award, joining Peluso (1999), Mike Talerico (2005) and Anken (2008).
 
The award, given annually to a member of the Lycoming coaching staff, was established in memory of Robert (Robby) D. Curry '05, who was the son of Robert '69 and Susan Curry. Robb was Lycoming's football recruiting coordinator and associate athletic director for 36 years, and Susan was an educator in the Williamsport area for more than 33 years. Robby was also the brother of Jessica Curry '01.
 
Robby earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Lycoming and was a brother of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Lycoming football was a way of life for him. As a youngster, Robby was a student manager/water boy for the Warriors. In high school, he served on the "chain crew" at home games. There was never a question in his mind about attending Lycoming and playing football for the Warriors. Robby achieved that goal as a freshman. During his final three years at Lycoming, Robby was the program's head videographer at all games.
 
The fund was created as a monetary award to be given annually. All head coaches, full-time and part-time, are eligible for consideration for this award. Based on performance during the academic year, criteria include a winning record, both overall and in the conference, and whether the coach achieved the recruiting and roster goals for the year as well as a program's improvement.
 
If you would like to support the Robb Curry Jr. Coach of the Year fund, please contact Lycoming's development office at (570) 321-4036.
 
All-Time Robb Curry Jr. Coach of the Year winners
2008-09 – Mike Clark, Football
2009-10 – Guy Rancourt, Men's Basketball
2010-11 – Roger Crebs, Wrestling
2011-12 – Mike Clark, Football
2012-13 – Jerry Hammaker, Swimming
2013-14 – Nate Gibboney, Men's Soccer
2014-15 – Roger Crebs, Wrestling
2015-16 – Nate Gibboney, Men's Soccer
2016-17 – Guy Rancourt, Men's Basketball
2017-18 – Chris Scanlon, Men's Lacrosse