Northwest Nazarene University Men's Lacrosse

Tom Blanchard began his college coaching career at Northwest Nazarene University in 2021 after spending the past twelve years coaching as a High School Varsity Head Coach here in the Treasure Valley. The 2026 season will be the program's inaugural campaign as a member of NCAA Division II after five years as a club program in the MCLA.  Blanchard was tabbed to start the men's lacrosse program from its inception as a club prior to the 2021 season. He saw nearly immediate success, recording the program's first winning record in the first full season in 2022 before registering back-to-back PNCLL Championships and MCLA National Tournament appearances in 2024 and 2025. Across the four full seasons of the club, Blanchard's Nighthawks posted a 43-17 overall record, including a 30-6 mark in the last two years.  Originally from Albany, New York, Tom, and his wife Christine settled in the Boise area in late 2005. Tom immediately plugged into the lacrosse community where he has been a relentless ambassador to the game of lacrosse, here in our community. As an ambassador of the game Tom has contributed countless hours to the lacrosse community. Some of his accomplishments over the years have included: redesigning the IHSLL Championship trophy to the one that is currently being used, organized community camps, organized and hosted local lacrosse tournaments, organized and facilitated meetings between the IHSLL and ILOA, serving as IHSLL Vice- Commissioner from 2016-2018, secured and negotiated the venue for the 2018 IHSLL Championship game at Dona Larsen Park, organized and facilitated the first IHSLL Championship games to be live-streamed and so much more. Tom’s coaching career started with the Timberline Wolves (2007-2012) and during that time he successfully lead the Timberline program to three state championships (’09, ’10, ’12). In 2008 he received the US Lacrosse – Idaho Chapter Coach of the Year award. After many successful years at Timberline he accepted the Head Coaching position at Rocky Mountain where he led the Grizzlies program for six seasons. During his time with Rocky Mountain he built a winning culture and helped elevate Rocky Mountain into an elite program which was consistently in the championship mix. In 2013 he received the US Lacrosse – Idaho Chapter Coach of the Year award. In 2018 Tom was award the US Lacrosse – Idaho Chapter “Person of the Year” award for his contributions to the game of Lacrosse. Tom and his wife, Christine, have two children, Jaxon and Tenley.

Nickee Brumbaugh is in her second year as the head coach of the Northwest Nazarene club women's lacrosse program in 2025-26. Nickee is a Boise native, and the product of YMCA, TVYLL, and TVWLL programs. Coach Nickee strives to cultivate the competitive community in the Treasure Valley at the WCLA and NCAA level. In her mission to grow this program and sport, players are supported both academically and in their community. Her playing experience ranges from a varsity goalie at Borah High School to Sawtooth and True Lacrosse travel teams, NCAA DIII at Westminster College (MO), and WCLA DII at Boise State. Prior to NNU, Nickee has led the Bishop Kelly High School girls' program, was a defensive/goalie coach with the Idaho Lacrosse Club team, and goalie coach for Boise State.

Carson Plant is in his third year as an assistant coach with the Northwest Nazarene lacrosse program in 2025-26. Plant is the assistant offensive coordinator for the Nighthawks. 

Tom Otte is the offensive coordinator for the Nighthawks. Tom began his coaching career in 2007 as the head coach of the Mountain View Mavericks. During Tom’s only season as Mavericks' coach he led the Mavericks to a one game improvement over their previous season. After the 2007 season Tom accepted an offer by Coach Blanchard to return to his alma mater and became the offensive coordinator of the Timberline Wolves. Coach Otte served as the OC through the 2012 season helping lead the team to three state championships. After the 2012 season Tom took a year off from coaching to focus more on his job but was drawn back to the game in 2014 to again team up with Coach Blanchard, this time with the Rocky Mountain Grizzlies. As the offensive coordinator Tom helped in the overall development of the team offense. In 2013, Tom, relocated to Washington. In 2015, Tom was courted by the Union Titans to serve as the team’s offensive coordinator. Tom helped lead Union Titans to the Washington 4A state championship in his only year at Union. Tom and his wife, Nicole are the proud parents of William.

Jackson Rice is in his third year as an assistant coach with the Northwest Nazarene lacrosse program in 2025-26. Rice is the face-off coach and assists with many other aspects of the program for the Nighthawks. 

Cade Brown enters his second season with the Northwest Nazarene lacrosse program in 2025-26. Brown works primarily with the goalies and assists with other facets of the Nighthawks' program.