VMI Hires Jeff Shirk as New Head Lacrosse Coach

[Sonny]

From Lexington, VA:

LEXINGTON, Va. –-Former University of Maryland player and assistant coach Jeff Shirk has been selected as the new head coach of the VMI men’s lacrosse team, as announced by VMI Athletic Director Donny White on Thursday afternoon. Shirk comes to the Institute with an impressive background in lacrosse, having played at the collegiate and professional level for eight seasons, followed by six years of coaching experience.

“I couldn’t be more excited for this opportunity to work at such an outstanding institution,” said Shirk. “I was impressed with General Peay and Donny White’s dedication to the Vision 2039 plan, the facility upgrades, the town, and I am very glad to be joining the VMI lacrosse family.”

“Lacrosse is a great sport for VMI, and I am very happy that Jeff Shirk will lead our program,” said Donny White. “I am impressed with his background, both as a player and as a coach. I am confident that he will build and coach our team to be a contender for the MAAC championship.”

Shirk, 28, takes over the reins of the program from Doug Bartlett, who recently retired after 21 years on the job. He comes to VMI after serving last season as assistant coach of the Brown University lacrosse program in the Ivy League. While at Brown, Shirk was the team’s defensive coordinator, while also working with the face-off unit and assisting with the recruiting efforts of the program. Prior to his position at Brown, Shirk spent the 2004-05 season with his alma mater, Maryland, as an assistant coach, helping the team reach the NCAA quarterfinals.

In the first head coaching role of his young career, Shirk took over the lacrosse program at the Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) in the fall of 2001. He spent three seasons with the team, leading them to a 22-11 record, and was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the program. While at NAPS, Shirk also served as the Institution’s Associate Director of Athletics, holding additional responsibilities that adapted him to the military environment.

In his playing days, he was a standout letterman in the Maryland Terrapins’ defense for four seasons under coaching legend Dick Edell from 1996-2000. Throughout his career, he was known for his tough style of defense, and was even coined the “Nastiest Hitter” in the nation by the Baltimore Sun. Prior to the 2001 season, Shirk was also selected First Team Preseason All-American by Face-Off Magazine, as well as Third Team Preseason All-American by College Lacrosse USA. In his four seasons at Maryland, the Terps reached the NCAA championship game twice (1997-98), and the quarterfinals in his senior season (2000). He graduated from Maryland in May 2001 with a B.S. in Elementary Education.

Shirk is also the founder and director of Champion's Choice Lacrosse Camp and played in the National Lacrosse League for the Washington Power (2000) and the New York Saints (2002-03) while he began his coaching career.

Shirk, a Mountain Lakes, N.J. native, certainly has an impressive background that will help in leading the VMI lacrosse program, and he can also turn to his dad for some fatherly advice. His dad, Gary Shirk, was a tight end in the NFL for over a decade, including seven years with the N.Y. Giants, where he holds the team record for most receptions in a game.

Shirk is married to the former Elizabeth Love, and the couple plan on moving to the area shortly once summer camps are completed.

“My wife and I are excited to move to Lexington,” added Shirk. “I see a very bright future in VMI lacrosse, and I am ready to meet the guys and get to work.”

[Sonny]

St. Laurent Promoted to Full-Time Assistant Coach at VMI

LEXINGTON, Va. -- It didn't take new VMI Head Lacrosse Coach Jeff Shirk too long to find an assistant coach to step in and help him prepare for next season. After careful review, Shirk promoted Nat St. Laurent to full-time Assistant Lacrosse Coach after serving the past two seasons on the sidelines with the Keydets.

"Coach St. Laurent was one of many qualified coaches to apply for this position," said Shirk. But he quickly rose to the top for obvious reasons. His work ethic, knowledge of the game, and outstanding attitude made Nat the right fit for me, our program, and the Institute."

For the past two years, St. Laurent has been a part-time assistant lacrosse coach for the Keydets while also serving as an Elementary Special Education Teacher at Enderly Heights Elementary in Buena Vista, Va. And although he will miss his position there, he is ready to come on board to assist Shirk in the day-to-day operations of the program.

"I am very excited to have this opportunity," commented St. Laurent. This is going to be a new era of VMI lacrosse and I am honored to be part of it. I look forward to working with Coach Shirk and the young men on the team as we continue working towards our goal of winning the conference, and representing VMI in the NCAA tournament some day."

After the retirement of former Head Coach Doug Bartlett and departure of Associate Head Coach Mic Grant, St. Laurent stepped in to assume several additional responsibilities while VMI was in the hiring process. He continued recruiting for the 2007-08 season, while also handling daily operations in the office until Shirk was announced as head coach.

"I am excited to work with Coach St. Laurent and use his enthusiasm, experience, and dedication as tools to help build this program into a consistent winner," added Shirk. Coach St. Laurent will be an immeasurable asset to the future success of this program."

Nat's impact on the VMI offense was immediately felt by the program upon his arrival. In 2005, the team ranked in the top three in nearly all offensive categories in the MAAC, including first in total points per game (16.29) and assists per game (6.14), as well as second in goals per game (10.14). Nationally, the Keydets ranked 19th overall in scoring and 11th in face-off win percentage. This past season, the Keydets ranked 21st nationally in man-up offense with an average of 0.328.

Prior to coming to VMI, St. Laurent played collegiate lacrosse while earning his Bachelor's degree in Elementary and Special Education at Keuka College (N.Y.). He began his career at Lasell College in Newton, Mass., before moving on to Jefferson Community College in Watertown, N.Y. At Jefferson, he was named Honorable Mention All-Region after leading the team in scoring as the Cannoneers made it to the national tournament.

St. Laurent has worked many summer camps, including the Lacrosse Academy camp in Lexington and Special Olympics and elementary school camps back in New York. He is also an instructor in the 80th infantry division of the Army Reserve based out of Salem, Va.