Hanover College Men's Lacrosse

Matt Wilkerson is entering his 15th year as Hanover’s head coach for men's soccer. In his 14 seasons, the program has made significant progress and established multiple school records, including the first NCAA Sweet 16 berth in 2021. In recent years, the Hanover men's soccer program has ascended to the top of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, including regular season titles in 2015, 2018, 2019, and 2021 followed by a tournament championship and NCAA Division III National Tournament appearances in 2016, 2019, and 2021. In the last 14 years, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, spring 2021, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 the Panthers have won double-digit matches overall. During his first year the team finished with a 7-7-4 record and the first .500 finish since 2006. Defensively, the team lowered the number of goals allowed from 49 in 2011 to 22 in 2012. They also claimed impressive results with two teams that participated in the NCAA tournament, including a 2-2 draw with Thomas More and a 0-0 draw with nationally-ranked DePauw. The team finished in fifth place in the HCAC and placed three players on All-Conference teams. 2013 was a record breaking year for the program. The team set the then school records for total wins (10), longest winning streak (6) and most conference wins (6).  The Panthers finished with a 10-8-2 record and advanced to the semi-finalist of the HCAC tournament. Four players received All-Conference awards.  Matthew Eldridge was named the Conference Newcomer of the Year. Two players were named Academic All-Region. The 2021 season saw Wilkerson push the program to new heights as they won the HCAC Tournament title and competed as part of the NCAA Division III Tournament, advancing to a program's first Sweet 16 berth. Josh Hughes was named the program's first USCA All-American while Evan Redmon was named the HCAC Defensive Player of the Year. Overall, Wilkerson has produced a 146-79-37 overall mark in his 14 seasons at Hanover, while also accumulating a 88-21-16 record in conference play.  Prior to arriving at Hanover, Wilkerson was an assistant coach and the recruiting coordinator at the University of Kentucky (2003-2011). In his time at the University of Kentucky the Wildcats experienced significant success, including advancing to the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament, two conference championships, an average of 10-plus wins a year, the program's highest ever national ranking (No. 13) and multiple wins against teams ranked in the Top 10 nationally, along with a victory against the number one ranked team in America. Wilkerson recruited and helped develop players that were named All-Americans, Academic All-America, Conference Player of the Year, and Conference Newcomer of the Year. He also assisted three players in earning MLS contracts. Additionally, multiple players earned contracts in some of Europe’s top leagues. Wilkerson has experienced success at the Club and High School level.  In 2000, he led his alma mater, Iowa City West to the school’s first ever Iowa High School Athletic Association State Championship. The Trojans finished with the season ranked number four in the nation by the NSCAA. Heavily involved in club soccer since 2000, Wilkerson was the assistant coaching director for the Iowa Soccer Club from 2000-2003. In his time with the Iowa Soccer Club, the club won multiple State Cups, including its first ever cup win and placed multiple players in College programs. He also coached for the Commonwealth Soccer Club (2005-2013) in Lexington, Ky., serving as the club's interim executive director in 2013. Wilkerson’s teams were the first in the club to advance to the State Championship game. Many of his former CSC players are now playing in college. Wilkerson's philosophy is built on helping players maximize their college experience and helping them develop as students, people and players. He has earned his USSF National "A" License as well as the USSF National Youth License.

Lichtfuss has served as a coach at every level of play - from youth leagues to the national team. He served as a member of the U.S. national team's coaching staff for the World Championships in 1994. He guided Mount Washington for 22 years, leading the squad to three USCLA titles as a coach while producing 11 national team players and winning 207 games (.716). He also served two seasons as general manager of the MILL's Pittsburgh Bulls and coached six all-pro players while leading the Baltimore Thunder for three seasons.He served as a member of the U.S. Lacrosse Board of Directors from 2000-08 and has been a member of the organization's hall of fame selection committee since 1999. He is the only coach to be a member of the selection committee for every U.S. national team since 1986. Currently, he is serving as the Chair of the Men's National Team Committee for US Lacrosse.Lichtfuss is also a member of the Virginia Lacrosse Hall of Fame, Greater Baltimore Chapter of the U.S. Lacrosse Hall of Fame and the Washington & Lee Athletic Hall of Fame. EducationM.Ed., University of Delaware, 1978B.A., Washington & Lee University, 1974

Michelangelo Butturi was named the Hanover men’s lacrosse Head Coach in 2023. A 2016 graduate of Hanover, he returns to the program for his third season in 2025-2026. He also completed his Master’s Degree in Student Affairs Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse in May of 2023.    Butturi led Hanover to the HCLC Tournament finals in his first season with the Panthers. For their efforts, seven landed All-HCLC honors and three First Team selections. They finished the regular season at 8-9 overall and second in the HCLC regular season. He lifted the program to new heights in 2025 as Hanover landed its first ever HCLC Defensive Player of the Year, Scott Dues. Dues was also among the seven players honored with HCLC All-Conference honors. Under his guidance, the Panthers finished with an 11-4 overall record, 3-1 HCLC mark and advanced to the Tournament Finals for the second straight season with Butturi at the helm.  Butturi had a four-year playing career at Hanover College under Legendary US Lacrosse Hall of Famer Head Coach Skip Lichtfuss. Butturi enlisted his services for five years with the Augustana Vikings in Rock Island, Illinois as the Assistant Coach / Defensive Coordinator. Butturi helped guide several players to post-season honors including All CCIW Selections, IMLCA Region 5 Team Honors, and All-American Honorable Mention.