Mercyhurst Athletics

ERIE, Pa. – Head coach Chris Ryan of the Mercyhurst College men’s lacrosse team announced Tuesday the addition of Alex Hopmann to the men’s lacrosse coaching staff. Hopmann replaces Brendon Burke who resigned to pursue other interests.

“I am excited that Alex has joined the Laker family,” said coach Ryan. “I am confident that his playing experiences at both the collegiate and professional level is going to allow him to greatly add to the program while also creating an exciting environment for the kids to play under.”

Hopmann comes to Mercyhurst after helping the Denver Outlaws of Major League Lacrosse (MLL) to an 8-5 record and a spot in the MLL Playoffs. As a rookie, he appeared in nine games and supplied the Outlaws with 11 goals and two assists for 13 points, good enough to rank in the top-10 in scoring on the team.

Prior to his time in the MLL, Hopmann played collegiate lacrosse at the University of Maryland – Baltimore County (UMBC) under the direction of Don Zimmerman. During his four-year career, he led the Retrievers to four consecutive NCAA Tournament berths, three America East Championships and helped the team capture its first NCAA victory, a 13-9 decision over Maryland.

He wrapped up his stay in Baltimore with 78 goals and 25 assists while obtaining several honors, including being named a USILA Honorable Mention All-American and a two-time All-America East selection.

Hopmann will continue a strong tradition of exceptional assistant coaches at Mercyhurst. Previous assistant Brendon Burke spent four years with the Lakers and molded the defense in to one of the top units in Division II lacrosse. In 2008, he was named Division II National Assistant Coach of the Year.

Coaches before Burke also experienced great success. Rob Cross is now the assistant at Division I Rutgers, Andrew Baxter is the head coach at Rollins, and Jeff Roberts serves as the leader of Concordia College.

“We have always benefited from great assistants. Mercyhurst Lacrosse would not be enjoying the level of success if it were not for the dedicated work of the assistant coaches.  I expect that Alex will follow in the excellent lineage of assistant coaches at Mercyhurst.”