FIT Men: McAleavey Resigns as Men’s Lacrosse Head Coach, Penn Named Acting HC
Written by Lee Roggenburg on . Posted in College, Featured Posts, Florida Lacrosse News, Florida Tech Men.
via FIT press release – photo by Louis Marinacci
MELBOURNE, Fla. – Florida Tech men’s lacrosse head coach Ryan McAleavey has resigned from his position, citing personal reasons. McAleavey completed his seventh season at the helm of the program in 2017-18.
Mark Penn has been named the acting head coach for the men’s lacrosse program. Penn has served as assistant coach and defensive coordinator for the Panthers for the past five years.
McAleavey was named Florida Tech’s first men’s lacrosse head coach on Friday, Aug. 13, 2010. The program played its inaugural game on Feb. 14, 2012, against Saint Leo. Over his seven seasons at the helm, McAleavey has led the Panthers to a 46-53 record and coached 39 all-conference selections, including 14 first teamers, and three USILA All-Americans.
Florida Tech posted a record of 11-29 over the program’s first three seasons, from 2012‑14. Since then, McAleavey, the 2013 Deep South Conference’s Coach of the Year, guided the Panthers to three winning seasons over the last four years, and a record of 35-24.
Florida Tech had quite a roller-coaster season during what turned out to be the final under McAleavey. After opening the season 1-4, the Panthers finished with a 9-6 record and a 6-1 mark in Sunshine State Conference action.
The team rattled off a school-record eight straight wins over the final nine games of the 2018 regular season. Florida Tech knocked off No. 5 Tampa, for the first time in program history, and No. 10 Mount Olive in consecutive one-goal victories during the streak, while also becoming the first team in SSC history to win six league games in a single season.
Under McAleavey, Florida Tech made the SSC tournament three times in the last four years, including consecutive league championship games in 2016 and 2017.
For the latest news, updates and information on the Florida Tech men’s lacrosse team, visit FloridaTechSports.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Panthers news by following Florida Tech Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.