TAMPA, Fla. –University of Tampa head lacrosse coach Rory Whipple has announced the hiring of Mike Ryder and Michael von Kamecke will serve as assistant coaches for the program, which is slated to begin competition in the spring of 2012. “Both Ryder and von Kamecke come from a strong lacrosse background at Salisbury University and will be valuable additions to the University of Tampa as we begin our first year of competition,” says Whipple. Mike Ryder will serve as defensive coordinator for the Spartans and will be in charge of administrative and recruiting responsibilities. “I am very excited to announce the addition of Mike Ryder to my staff as defensive coordinator for the 2011-12 season,” says Whipple. “He comes to the University of Tampa with valuable head coaching experience and success from his time at the University of Colorado and brings a strong knowledge of defensive sets and schemes that will benefit us on that end of the field. He brings an enthusiasm and energy to his coaching career that will be an asset to our players and our emerging lacrosse program here in Tampa.” Ryder previously served as the head coach at the University of Colorado in Boulder from 2010-11. While competing in the MCLA Division I, he led his team to a 16-9 overall record in just under two years. At Colorado, Ryder coached his squad to 12 wins over MCLA top-25 programs and a pair of MCLA championship tournament appearances. His team also posted a 7.75 GAA for his two seasons as head coach and defensive coordinator. After taking over the program midseason in 2010, the Buffaloes finished the year 4-1, including a victory over three-time defending national champion and No. 1 Michigan, ending the Wolverines 49-game winning streak. Ryder coached 8 MCLA All-Americans and 19 RMLC all-conference selections at Colorado, in only two seasons. In 2011, his first full season as head coach, five players were honored as MCLA All-Americans as eight players were chosen to RMLC all-conference, including the RMLC Defensive Player of the Year. Prior to coaching at Colorado, Ryder was the Varsity defensive coordinator and JV head coach for Boulder High School in 2009. In his final year at Salisbury University he simultaneously served as a defensive coach for the Salisbury University Club team and the Head Varsity Girl’s lacrosse coach at Wicomico High School. Ryder was also the director/coach of the Buffalo Elite Lacrosse Academy from 2010-11. In that role, he created and managed U-17, U-15 and U-13 travel teams in the Boulder area and coached the U-17 squad. His team won the 2011 Colorado Cup championship. A 2008 graduate of Salisbury University, Ryder earned his bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education- History, and played with the Salisbury Lacrosse team from 2005-2007. Ryder is originally from Port Washington, NY where he was a 2004 graduate of Schreiber High School. Von Kamecke will serve as an offensive assistant for the Spartans, while also handling administrative and recruiting duties. “I am also pleased to announce the addition of Mike to our new lacrosse staff,” says Whipple. “He was an outstanding player, captain and three-time All-American at Salisbury University and brings a winning mentality to our sideline. He possesses great shooting ability, and will aid in the skill development of our players on the offensive end of the field. A Winter Park native and three-time, Florida All-American, Mike will continue to strengthen our relationships and recruiting efforts in his home state of Florida.” A 2011 graduate from Salisbury University, von Kamecke earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise science while minoring in athletic coaching. Playing for SU, von Kamecke won Division III national titles in 2007 and 2008. He was honored with second-team all-CAC and USILA Honorable Mention All-American in 2008 and 2009, and as a senior was first-team ECAC Division III all-metro and south region all-star as well as USILA second-team All-American. Von Kamecke concluded his collegiate career with 108 goals, 73 assists and 181 total points while playing in 87 games. After graduating college, von Kamecke has continued his lacrosse career and is currently playing for The LXM PRO tour. At Bishop Moore High School in Orlando, Fla., von Kamecke was a three time All-American and recorded 288 career points. Von Kamecke served as a coach at The Salisbury School (Salisbury, Md.) in 2011. Before that, he coached the Ocean City MD green turtle team (2009) and the U17 Florida Possums (2007). He has also served as a camp counselor at Florida Lacrosse Camps, Premier Players, Jake Bergey Lacrosse Camp, Bernhardt Lacrosse Camp and Jim Berkman Lacrosse Camp. Visit tampaspartans.com for the latest news and info on University of Tampa Athletics.