Sachem alum and lacrosse pro Chris Panos was tabbed as the new offensive coordinator for the University of Tampa men’s lacrosse program.
He made an announcement on his Instagram account this week about the move.
“I’m looking forward to my new opportunity,” he wrote. “I will be back in California this June and August in Conejo Valley with Panos Lacrosse field and box camps, recruiting players to play NCAA lacrosse and continue to develop the youth players as well.#newchapter #dreambig.”
He joins a number of current Sachem alums on the college coaching ranks. Brian Brecht is the head men’s coach at Rutgers, while Joe Amplo is the head men’s coach at Marquette, Jason Fautas is the head men’s coach at Walsh, and Rich Petillo is an assistant men’s coach at Hartwick.
Panos, who lives in Southern California, is the Founder and President of Panos Lacrosse and Team Panos Lacrosse Youth and High School Elite travel clubs.
In pre-season polls, Tampa was picked to finish first in the newly formed Sunshine State Conference. Panos told a Southland Lax All-Stars website that he thinks Tampa could make a run at the Division II NCAA Tournament.
“They have put a lot of money into lacrosse, and into facilities,” he told Southland Lax All-Stars, “and they’re really looking to make a push with lacrosse and eventually go Division I in men’s and women’s lacrosse. Part of my job, in addition to offensive coordinator, is also going to be recruiting. As an NCAA coach at the Division II level, I’ll be able to offer scholarship dollars.”
Panos graduated from Sachem in 1992 and played lacrosse at Hofstra. He was a first round selection, fourth overall, by the Boston Blazers of the National Lacrosse League in 1997, and also played in the Ontario Lacrosse Association from 1997-2006.
A member of the 2001 NLL Champion Philadelphia Wings, Panos also played on Team USA for nine years, competing in the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships in 2003 and 2007.
He was All-County at Sachem and a two-time All-America East Conference selection at Hofstra. He retired from playing in 2010 as the seventh all-time leading American born scorer in NLL history.
-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro