Brad Jorgensen Leaves Wheaton for Saint Leo

[Sonny]

NORTON, MA- Wheaton College Executive Director of Athletics Chad Yowell announced Brad Jorgensen's resignation as the Lyons' head men's lacrosse coach Friday and appointed Steve Batchelor as interim head coach for the 2005 season. Jorgensen leaves the post after seven seasons in order to begin his new duties as the inaugural head men's lacrosse coach at Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, Florida.

"We're saddened to see Brad's departure as our men's lacrosse coach," said Yowell. "He's worked very hard to build up and improve the lacrosse program. The program is in great hands, but in our business opportunities in athletics similar to this don't come along too often. I am excited that Brad has been named the first head coach at Saint Leo and support his decision in what appears to be a great opportunity for him and his family."

"After discussing the position with Brad, I decided Steve would be the ideal choice for the job. He has played an important role with our players and is well liked by the team. I feel that Steve has a solid understanding of the program and the wherewithal to keep us moving in the right direction through the upcoming season."

Wheaton is coming off a successful year under Jorgensen, as the Lyons tied a program record for season wins and hosted their first Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Tournament game. Reaching the ECAC Tournament semifinal round for the second time in three seasons, Wheaton posted a 10-5 record and was ranked nationally in multiple statistical categories. Having four players named to the Pilgrim League All-Conference team last spring, Jorgensen had a total of 22 players selected to the Pilgrim teams and one to the All-New England squad.

Jorgensen was at the helm of seven Wheaton men's lacrosse teams from 1998-2004 and has a 45-50 head coaching record. He sent a combined 10 players to the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) senior North-South All-Star and New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) senior East-West All-Star games. Jorgensen was selected head coach of the East squad in the NEILA East-West All-Star game in 1999. He also spent two seasons as an assistant men's lacrosse coach at Amherst College, during which time the Lord Jeffs went 19-9 with two ECAC Tournament appearances.

Batchelor becomes Wheaton's fifth head men's lacrosse coach in the program's 16-year history. He takes over a team with 27 returnees and the 13 newcomers he and Jorgensen recruited. A 2003 Endicott College graduate with a bachelor's degree in sports management, the Billerica native was named to the coaching staff for the 2004 NEILA East-West All-Star game in his first season at Wheaton. As a four-year player with the Gulls, Batchelor helped Endicott to one NCAA Tournament berth and one ECAC Tournament appearance. While coaching, he will continue to pursue his master's degree in physical education at Bridgewater State College.

Yowell said a search for Jorgensen's permanent replacement, pending approval, will begin immediately. Wheaton opens the 2005 campaign on Wednesday, March 9 at Nichols College. The Lyons will host their first game on Tuesday, March 22 against Roger Williams University at Mirrione Stadium.

Wheaton is a selective national liberal arts college with 1,550 students drawn from virtually every state and more than 60 countries. The college combines a traditional curriculum in the arts and sciences with an innovative emphasis on real-world experience - internships, jobs and volunteer service - to help students make the connection between theory and practice. Its students gain admission to the nation's most prestigious graduate programs and regularly win competitive academic awards such as the Rhodes, Marshall and Fulbright scholarships.