VMI's Mic Grant Named First Head Coach at Marywood (Pa.)

[Sonny]

Former VMI Associate Head Lacrosse Coach Mic Grant has accepted a position at Marywood University (Pa.) to become the school's inaugural head men's lacrosse coach. Grant brings over 14 years of coaching experience to Marywood, and the new position will be his first head coaching opportunity.

"I am very excited to be the inaugural head coach Grant has spent the past nine seasons with the Keydets, serving as the team's defensive coordinator. After spending the first four seasons as assistant coach, Grant was promoted to Associate Head Coach in 2001, and took on the additional responsibilities of recruiting and working with the team's budget. The program felt the immediate effects, as the Keydets have brought in the program's largest and most talented recruiting classes in the past three seasons.

"I am very excited to be the inaugural head coach at Marywood University," said Grant. "I am looking forward to developing Marywood into a competitive program in our league, as well as on a national level."

Marywood University, located in Scranton, Pa., fields 12 Division III athletic programs (14 with the addition of men's and women's lacrosse) and competes in the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC). The university is also in the process of upgrading its athletic facilities, and is currently finalizing the new Robert J. Mellow Center for Athletics and Wellness, a $14 million project that will directly impact the start up of lacrosse at Marywood.

With the first season of competition set for the 2007-08 season, Grant will have the opportunity to recruit for a full season to field the best possible team, and bring in some hand-picked talent.

Working as former head coach Doug Bartlett's right-hand man, Grant also worked wonders with the VMI defensive unit. In his nine years at VMI, Grant has took the goals against average from 13.27 in his first year to 9.00 in 2000, and 10.46 in 2006.

"I have enjoyed my time here (at VMI)," added Grant. "I have worked with some great people and players over the years, but I am certainly excited about taking the next step in my career."

Grant came to VMI from Hampden-Sydney College, where he was an assistant coach for five seasons under Head Coach Ray Rostan. While at H-SC, Grant worked with the Tiger defensemen, monitored academic progress, scouted opponents, and assisted with recruiting. During that period, six of his players achieved All- America distinction.

A native of Charlottesville, Va., Grant was a two-year letterwinner at Hampden-Sydney, where he captained the squad during 1991, his senior season. He played his first two seasons of collegiate lacrosse at Ohio Wesleyan University, where he was a member of the Battling Bishops' 1988 and 1989 NCAA Division III National Finalist teams. He also played in the Division III North/South Senior All-Star game in 1991.

Grant and his wife, Heather, will be relocating to Scranton in a few weeks.