Coach Patrick Cooney
Pat Cooney begins his seventh season as head men's lacrosse coach at Salve Regina University in 2009-10. The 2009 The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) Coach of the Year, Cooney came to Newport with a history of helping young collegiate lacrosse programs build a strong foundation, a trend that has continued at SRU. After winning just 19 games during its first nine years of existence, the Seahawk men's lacrosse program has tallied 35 wins over the last four seasons - including 10 wins in 2009, when the Seahawks advanced to TCCC Semifinals for the third-consecutive season.
Since arriving at Salve Regina, Cooney has worked tirelessly to recruit outstanding student-athletes. "These young men have spearheaded the Seahawks success in all areas at the University," said Cooney. "The success of any collegiate team is dependent upon the responsible pursuit of excellence both on and off the field."
As a coach, Cooney incorporates an aggressive, up-tempo style of play with the Seahawks. By recruiting student-athletes of superior character, he is able to foster the creativity and growth of each individual through athletics. Coach Cooney has put an emphasis on academic success with the team members earning an average GPA of 2.9. By academically and athletically retaining student-athletes, the team has grown in spirit, experience, and skill. In 2009, goalkeeper Brian Walker (3.64 GPA, accounting) received TCCC Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award.
With the continued success of the program, the roster has grown to more than 30 outstanding student-athletes. In addition to playing conference games in TCCC against the likes of nationally-ranked Endicott College and Western New England College, Salve Regina University consistently schedules non-conference games against top programs throughout the region.
"Our goal is to win the cup - The Commonwealth Coast Conference championship. We prepare to win by working hard with purpose: competing to win one game at a time, one practice at a time," said Cooney.
Cooney gained notice in 1996 when he became the youngest head coach (23 years old) in the country, taking over the program at his alma mater, Roger Williams University. He spent four years as the head coach, building the foundation of a strong program and posting three straight winning seasons from 1997-99. In 2000, he went to Elmira College serving as Assistant Coach and Admissions Counselor. At Elmira, Cooney helped a talented Soaring Eagles ballclub win a share of the Empire 8 Conference title. He then joined the coaching staff at Bryant College from 2001-03, serving as Assistant Coach and Compliance Coordinator for the Bulldogs. Cooney helped both colleges achieve their highest-ever national ranking in their respective divisions.
Cooney assists other Seahawk head coaches as the recruitment coordinator for Salve Regina's athletic department. Cooney has served on the USILA DIII All-American selection committee. He resides on Aquidneck Island in Portsmouth, R.I., with his wife, Tabitha, and three children. A native of Long Island, Cooney was a standout player at Chaminade High School and Roger Williams University.
(Updated 8/7/09)
YEAR RECORD POSITION SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS 1996 3-10 Head Coach Roger Williams 1997 7-6 Head Coach Roger Williams 1998 9-8 Head Coach Roger Williams CCC Finals 1999 11-6 Head Coach Roger Williams CCC Finals 2000 12-7 Assistant Coach Elmira Empire 8 Co-Champions; ECAC Upstate Finals 2001 10-4 Assistant Coach Bryant NE-10 Finals 2002 12-6 Assistant Coach Bryant NE-10 Finals; ECAC DII Champions 2003 12-5 Assistant Coach Bryant NE-10 Finals 2004 0-10 Head Coach Salve Regina 2005 4-8 Head Coach Salve Regina 2006 11-5 Head Coach Salve Regina CCC Semi-Finalist 2007 7-9 Head Coach Salve Regina CCC Semi-Finalist 2008 7-9 Head Coach Salve Regina TCCC Semi-Finalist 2009 10-6 Head Coach Salve Regina TCCC Semi-Finalist
