New coach comes from Notre Dame

Dave Cornell

Dave Cornell has been named the head coach of the Connecticut College men’s lacrosse program. Cornell arrives in New London after spending the previous two years as the lead defensive assistant coach at the University of Notre Dame.

Under the direction of Fighting Irish head coach Kevin Corrigan, Cornell assisted in all phases of a nationally ranked program that qualified for the 2006 NCAA Championship. While his most recent experience is at the Division 1 level, he carries deep ties to Division III intercollegiate lacrosse. He was a two-time All-America selection at Gettysburg College, contributing to three Centennial Conference Championship teams with the Bullets. Gettysburg reached its pinnacle in 1995 with an appearance at the NCAA Final Four.

After graduating, Cornell returned to his alma mater, serving as offensive coordinator for three seasons and defensive coordinator for one year. The Bullets made four consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the national championship game in 2001. Later that year Cornell was named head coach of Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Penn. He developed and resurrected program that was reinstated after a 21-year hiatus, setting a program record for victories in 2003 and 2004.

“We are excited to add a professional like Dave Cornell to our talented group of coaches,” said Fran Shields, the Katherine Wenk Christoffers ’45 Director of Athletics/Chair of Physical Education and Vice President of the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association. “He brings a wealth of college coaching experience to our program and has competed at the highest level of lacrosse as a player and a coach. Most importantly, Dave is committed to the student-athletes and their development in a challenging liberal arts environment.”

Cornell earned a B.A. in business management and entrepreneurship at Gettysburg. He holds an M.S. from McDaniel College in health and exercise science and athletic administration. He replaces another former Notre Dame assistant coach Dave Campbell, who led the Camels to post-season appearances in two of the past three seasons.

“Coach Shields and Coach Campbell have done a tremendous job in building this program to where it is today and it’s my job to take it to the next level,” Cornell said. “I believe we have a returning core group of young men who want to be great and a talented recruiting class coming in this fall. We need to continue that momentum. If we do, I see no reason why we can’t compete for a NESCAC and NCAA title in the next few years.”