Canisius College Men's Lacrosse

• Named the fourth coach in program history on Aug. 3, 2017 • Has guided Canisius to four appearances in the MAAC Men’s Lacrosse Championship during his time on Main Street, highlighted by the 2018 title in his first season at the helm after recording a pair of thrilling overtime victories against top seed Quinnipiac and Detroit Mercy at the MAAC Championship • Individually, Canisius’ student-athletes have excelled under Miyashita’s tutelage, with 26 players earning a total of 37 All-MAAC accolades • Has also shown an ability to develop talent for the next level, with seven National Lacrosse League draft picks to his credit, highlighted by a pair of first-round picks (Connor Kearnan and Holden Garlent) • Coached Connor Kearnan, who put together one of the finest individual seasons in program history during the 2018 season as he was named the MAAC Offensive Player of the Year, MAAC Championship Most Valuable Player, Inside Lacrosse Media Honorable Mention All-American and USILA Scholar All-American after setting the MAAC single-season record with 53 assists • Mentored 2019 MAAC Rookie of the Year Jacob Buck, who led the Griffs in scoring with 44 points and finished second on the team in both goals (30) and assists (14) during the campaign • Coached 2024 MAAC Face-off Specialist of the Year Micah Hanson, who led the MAAC in ground balls (120) and ground balls per game (8.00) and ranked 10th nationally in ground balls per game    • Has served as an assistant coach for Team Canada on multiple occasions • At the 2018 FIL Men’s World Lacrosse Championship, Miyashita worked with fellow Canisius Hall of Famer and Team Canada head coach Randy Mearns to help guide the Red and White to a second-place finish at the 46-team event held in Netayna, Israel • Reunited with Mearns and Team Canada for the 2023 FIL Men’s World Lacrosse Championship, helping lead them to a silver medal finish in San Diego, Calif. • Served as an assistant coach for Team Canada at the World Lacrosse U-21 Men's Championship in August 2022, helping the Red and White claim a silver medal in Limerick, Ireland   • Named an assistant coach for the 2025 World Lacrosse U-20 World Championship, slated for August in Seogwipo, Jeju, Japan   • Returned to Canisius after four seasons as an assistant coach at Sacred Heart University, helping the team advance twice to the Northeast Conference Tournament (2014-17) • Serving as the Pioneers’ offensive and recruiting coordinator, Miyashita built and orchestrated a Sacred Heart attack that ranked second in the NEC in scoring offense (11.33 goals/game) and featured four of the top-10 players in the league in points per game in 2017 • Also played a key role in the program’s improvement in the classroom as the team’s cumulative GPA rose more than a quarter of a point during his time with the Pioneers • Began his coaching career as the head coach at Castle View High School in Castle Rock, Colo., where he founded the lacrosse program when the school first opened in 2006 • A two-time Douglas County Lacrosse League Coach of the Year selection, he led Castle Rock to its first league title in 2012. He coached multiple All-American and All-League players while also placing numerous players with various college programs at the Division I, II and III levels. • In addition to his work at the collegiate and high school levels, Miyashita was also active at the club level, working with Xcelerate Lacrosse and the Denver Elite Lacrosse Club • He was the founder and co-owner of Fundamental Lacrosse in Connecticut, an organization that provides box and field lacrosse instruction for players in the Nutmeg State   • A member of the Canisius Hall of Fame class of 2013, Miyashita appeared in 42 games during his four seasons with the Blue and Gold, finishing his career ranked among the program’s career leaders in points (145/7th), assists (74/8th) and goals (71/15th) • A three-time captain, Miyashita led the Griffs in points in both 2000 and 2003, two seasons where he also earned All-MAAC First Team honors. • The school’s all-time leader in career faceoff percentage (.593) and second in program history in career ground balls (329), Miyashita led the nation in ground balls per game in 2000 with 10.69, a number that still ranks second-best in NCAA history to this day • Ended his career with 7.83 ground balls per game, a number that currently ranks eighth all-time in NCAA men’s lacrosse history • Selected first overall pick of the Vancouver Ravens in the 2003 National Lacrosse League Draft • Played five seasons for Vancouver, Colorado and Minnesota • Finished with 17 goals and 41 assists in 46 career games played while also contributing 421 faceoff wins and 324 loose balls. • Was the top overall pick of the Maple Ridge Burrards of the Western Lacrosse Association in 2003, helping guide the team to back-to-pack postseason appearances in 2004 and 2005.   • Native of Richmond, British Columbia • Received his bachelor’s degree from the College in social studies education in 2003 • Earned his master’s degree in information and technology from the University of Colorado at Denver in 2010 • Miyashita is married to the former Theresa Delano, Ph.D., a fellow 2003 graduate of Canisius College and a native of Cheektowaga. They are the proud parents of their daughter, Alexis

Associate head coach Derek Marks joined the Canisius men's lacrosse program in September, 2017.    In his role with the Golden Griffins, Marks handles the team’s defensive players and schemes while overseeing the team’s recruiting efforts. He also assists in the day-to-day operations of the program. In his first season with the program, Marks helped guide Canisius to its highest win total in 10 seasons. He also helped lead the squad to the 2018 MAAC Men’s Lacrosse Championship as the Griffs recorded a pair of thrilling overtime victories against top seeds Quinnipiac and Detroit Mercy on their way to their third league title in program history.   Individually, defenders Holden Garlent and Logan Monroe were named All-MAAC First Team, part of a record nine Griffs to earn all-conference distinction for the 2018 campaign.   The 2019 season saw Marks mentor a Griffs’ defense that ranked 17th nationally in scoring defense (10.17), helping the squad record victories against nationally-ranked Colgate and eventual Northeast Conference Tournament champion Robert Morris, before qualifying for the MAAC Men’s Lacrosse Championship for the fourth consecutive season.   Garlent was an All-MAAC First Team selection for the second consecutive season as he ranked second in the MAAC in caused turnovers and third in caused turnovers per game. He was one of three members of the Canisius defense to garner all-conference distinction as Monroe and senior goalie Brad Nordstrom were both All-MAAC Second Team selections. The 2021 season saw Marks help lead Canisius to a 5-5 record, highlighted by the program’s fourth consecutive appearance in the semifinal round of the MAAC Men’s Lacrosse Championship. Playing a conference-only schedule, the Griffs picked up wins against eventual MAAC Champion Monmouth as well as defending champion and preseason favorite Marist during the pandemic-shortened campaign. Defensman Ryan Sharkey and long-stick midfielder Isaiah Ricketts were both All-MAAC Second Team selections.    Marks joined the Golden Griffins from Post University, where he served as head coach for the previous two seasons. The program’s all-time winningest coach, he guided the Eagles to a school-record six wins during his first season in 2016 and the program’s second All-New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) performer.     The stint was Marks’ second with the Eagles, having previously served as the top assistant for the team’s inaugural season in 2014. The Eagles won four games that year and boasted an All-NEILA selection.   Prior to his return to Post, Marks spent the 2015 as an assistant coach with Fairfield University, helping guide the Stags to a Colonial Athletic Association regular season title and a USILA national ranking. He played a key role in the development of the CAA’s Rookie of the Year and seven all-conference selections. Marks began his career at Mitchell College, working as an assistant for one year before being promoted to head coach, a position he held for three seasons (2011-13). In 2011, he led the Mariners to a 9-4 record and an appearance in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) North Regional Playoffs. Mitchell repeated that feat in 2013.   A native of East Lyme, Conn., Marks graduated from Sacred Heart in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and sports management.

Mearns has enjoyed a number of memorable moments during his career, highlighted by leading the Griffs to two MAAC Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances in 2008 and 2012. Most recently, the St. Catharines, Ontario native added a gold medal to his head coaching resume, leading the Canadian National Team to the pinnacle of the sport at 2014 FIL World Championship. Overall, 10 former Griffs participated in the world championship with five joining Mearns on the winning Canadian team. The success for Mearns, however, isnt limited to just the three teams he has guided to championships. Among the many bright spots for the 18-year head coach during his tenure guiding his alma mater are: Canisius earned its first trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2008 after winning the programs first MAAC Championship. Canisius posted dominating victories over Manhattan (11-2) and VMI (14-5) en route to the title. The Griffs won their second MAAC title in 2012 after posting victories against second-seeded Detroit (12-10) and top-seeded Siena (10-9) to earn the programs second invitation to the NCAA Tournament. Canisius won MAAC regular-season crowns during both the 2006 and 2008 seasons. Six Griffs have been selected in the first round of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) Draft after playing for Mearns, including Mark Miyashita the first overall selection in 2003 after graduating from Canisius. The Griffs were the only school in the country with two first-round selections in the 2011 draft when Adam Jones was taken with the third-overall pick and Dan Coates was selected eighth. Three Griffs have been selected in the Major League Lacrosse Draft with Adam Jones (2011), Tim Edwards (2015) and Vince Gravino (2016) each being picked after graduating from Canisius. Individual success has become a common theme for Canisius under Mearns leadership. Adam Jones became Canisius first All-American during the 2008 season, earning the honor from USILA. Kevin Ross was the first Griff under Mearns guidance to earn an individual accolade, picking up MAAC Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2006, while Mike Moran was named the MAAC Faceoff Specialist of the Year in 2013. In addition, three Griffs have earned the conferences Rookie of the Year award. Overall, Mearns has led the Griffs to 94 victories and 70 conference wins during his career. In 2014, he led Canisius to the programs first-ever win against a nationally-ranked school when the Griffs defeated eventual NCAA Quarterfinalist and 13th-ranked Albany. Mearns has also mentored 35 all-conference performers during his time at Canisius. He guided the Griffs to their first postseason appearance in 2003 when the team earned a trip to the MAAC Tournament. Canisius has now participated in eight tournaments since, winning titles in 2008 and 2012. In addition to serving as the Canadian National Team head coach for the 2014 World Championship, Mearns was an assistant coach at both the 2006 and 2010 championships with the 2006 squad winning the goal medal. Mearns, who earned induction into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2008, helped Canada to its first gold-medal finish in 28 years during the 2006 run before leading the team to silver in 2010 and gold once again in 2014. Playing Career After helping the Canadian Junior National Team to a silver medal in the 1988 World Championships, Mearns was part of the first Canisius College recruiting class in 1989. Under former head coach Ed Van Tine, Mearns thrived offensively during his three-year stay and currently ranks second in career scoring with 190 points. He still holds the single-season records for points (94) and assists (49) and is the Griffs all-time leader in assists (95). Upon graduating cum laude with a bachelors degree in finance, Mearns was drafted by the Buffalo Bandits in the 1992 entry draft and was a member of the Major Indoor Lacrosse League World Champion Bandits team in 1993. Mearns joined the Rochester Knighthawks in 1995. As their team captain, he lead the Knighthawks to four championship appearances (96, 97, 99, and 00) during his seven-year tenure and raised the Champions Cup with a 1997 victory over his former team, the Buffalo Bandits. Mearns earned induction into the Rochester Knighthawks Hall of Fame in 2010, joining Jody Gage and Paul Gait in the franchises second class. In the summer of 2001, the 1999 NLL All-Star Game MVP was picked up by the Calgary Roughnecks in the National Lacrosse League expansion draft and was immediately traded back to the Bandits. The 2002 season saw Mearns have his best offensive output in his nine-year career, scoring 14 goals and dishing out 24 assists for 38 points. Balancing out the winter and spring months while at Canisius and playing professionally, Mearns played in the Canadian Junior A and Canadian Senior A Lacrosse Leagues. During a 10-year stint beginning in 1990, Mearns appeared in eight National Championships, five of them as team captain. Of these eight appearances, Mearns and his teammates were crowned champions six times. They include the 1990 Minto Cup Champion St. Catharines Athletics, the Mann Cup Champion Brampton Excelsiors (92, 93) and the Mann Cup Champion Six Nation Chiefs (94, 95 96). While coaching the Griffs, playing in the NLL and working as an investment advisor, Mearns conquered another personal goal and again graduated from Canisius College with a masters in sport administration in 2002. The Start of a Coaching Career While succeeding as a player, Mearns was also heavily involved in developing and coaching field lacrosse in the traditional box lacrosse hotbed of his hometown of St. Catharines, Ontario. He was the co-founder, coach, administrator and fundraiser of St. Catharines minor field lacrosse and was a significant participant in the development of the Ontario Minor Field Lacrosse League a league that started with just under 10 teams in the early 90s and presently flourishes with over 140 teams. In 1994, Mearns relinquished many of his duties with the St. Catharines minor program and took over the Junior and Senior Niagara Raiders field lacrosse teams. In 1996, he was named as an assistant coach on the Canadian Junior National team that competed in the World Championship in Japan and helped guide the Canadians to a bronze-medal finish. A year later, the assistant coaching job at Canisius was vacated and Mearns returned to Canisius to serve under Mike Greco. Returning with a silver medal from the 1998 World Championship in Baltimore where Mearns served as a tri-captain for the Canadian mens team, he found himself with a glorious opportunity. Greco, after six years at the helm, stepped down as the head mens lacrosse coach and Mearns was offered the job by retired Canisius athletic director Dan Starr. A 2005 inductee into the Canisius College Sports Hall of Fame, Mearns and his wife, Connie, reside in East Amherst with their two sons, Tanner and Owen.

Murphy made an immediate impact with the Griffs following his move to the coaching ranks first as the programs defensive coordinator. In his first season on the Canisius sideline in 2014, he led the top-ranked scoring defense in the MAAC at 9.47 goals per game more than 2.5 goals per game better than the previous season. In addition, goalkeeper Alex Govenettio increased his save percentage by 11.1 percent during the 2014 campaign. In his first season as offensive coordinator in 2016, Murphy mentored three Griffs to All-MAAC honors. Midfielder Jeff Edwards earned first-team all-conference accolades after ranking fourth nationally among middies with 3.33 points per game, while attackman Connor Kearnan and midfielder Nick Tuttle also collected second-team honors. Murphy rejoined the Griffs after spending the 2013 season with Bellarmine, where he worked with the teams defensive and goaltending units in addition to assisting with the day-to-day operations of the program. A former long-stick midfielder with the Griffs, Murphy guided the Knights to the nations eighth-ranked scoring defense in 2013 plus the 11th-ranked man-down unit. He also helped Knights netminder Dillon Ward lead the NCAA in save percentage, while ranking third in saves. The Williamsville, N.Y. native helped lead the Griffs to a MAAC Championship as a team captain in 2012, earning MAAC All-Tournament Team honors. Overall, Murphy appeared in all 14 games as a senior, ranking second on the team with 57 ground balls and 15 caused turnovers. During his four-year collegiate career, Murphy played in 36 games, collecting 73 ground balls and 18 caused turnovers. Murphy earned his bachelors degree in communications from Canisius in 2012. He is currently pursing his masters in sport administration.

Rautenstrauch worked directly with the teams faceoff unit and goaltenders. Under his watch, Tim Edwards led all players in the MAAC in faceoff percentage during both the 2014 and 2015 campaigns, ranking eighth nationally as a junior with a 61.1 percent mark. He also oversaw Alex Govenettios successful junior season in net where he increased his save percentage by 11.1 percent during the 2014 campaign. A Buffalo native, Rautenstrauch enjoyed a breakout season at Canisius during his senior campaign in 2013. He played in all 13 games and ranked second on the team with 27 points on 18 goals and nine assists. Primarily a defensive midfielder during his first three seasons at the College, Rautenstrauch appeared in 39 career games with 32 points, 18 goals, 14 assists and 63 ground balls, helping lead the Griffs to the MAAC Championship in 2012. Rautenstrauch earned his bachelors degree in sport management in 2013 and his masters in sport administration in 2014.

Former Canisius long-stick midfielder Ethan Thomson was named an assistant coach with the Golden Griffins program in July 2025.   “We are excited to welcome Ethan to the coaching staff after his career in a Canisius uniform,” Canisius head coach Mark Miyashita said. “Ethan’s passion and drive will help to mentor our younger players as they transition to the collegiate game and his journey as a student-athlete will serve him well in this capacity. I look forward to having the opportunity to continue working with Ethan in this new role as his lacrosse journey transitions from player to coach.”   • Appeared in 58 games over his four seasons in a Canisius uniform (2022-25).   • Took part in all 31 games played during his junior and senior seasons. • Finished his Canisius career with 76 ground balls and 19 caused turnovers. • He also pitched offensively, chipping in a goal and an assist. • Three-time MAAC All-Academic Team honoree (2023, 2024, 2025) • Four-year letterwinner at John Carroll high school for coach Don Reynolds • Member of Looneys Lacrosse Club   • Native of White Hall, Md. • Received his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Canisius in May 2025.