Springfield College Men's Lacrosse

Springfield College Director of Athletics, Dr. Craig Poisson, is pleased to announce that Sean Quirk '95 G'97 has been named as the head men's lacrosse coach and assistant professor of physical education at Springfield College. "Sean brings a strong and difficult to match coaching pedigree to Springfield College," said Poisson. "Beyond his extensive administrative and coaching experience, including his time at the helm on the sidelines at the highest level the sport of men's lacrosse is played, his genuine care and concern for the development of students and men's lacrosse student-athletes bodes well for our teach-coach model. I welcome Sean back to Alden Street and look forward to his impact." Quirk has had extensive coaching opportunities at both the collegiate and professional levels as he served as the head men's lacrosse coach at Division III Endicott College from 1997-2015 and as the Professional Head Lacrosse Coach and Director of Player Personnel for the Boston Cannons of Major League Lacrosse (MLL) and the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) from 2015-2023. Quirk was also the Assistant Dean of Admissions at Endicott from 1997-2007 before he was elevated to Associate Director of Athletics for the Gulls in 2007. "It is a privilege and honor to return to Springfield College as the Head Men's Lacrosse Coach. Thank you, President Cooper, Dr. Poisson and the search committee, for providing the opportunity to represent Springfield College and our incredibly devoted men's lacrosse alumni," said Quirk. "The opportunity to lead a historic program that was led by Coach Bugbee for the last 42 years is a dream come true for our family. Coach Bugbee "Showed Up". No coach can truly replace Coach Bugbee and we will continue to build upon his legendary coaching career and culture he instilled on Alden Street." While at Endicott, Quirk and his Gulls won nine Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Championships, recorded 243 wins and saw 21 of his student-athletes garner United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) All-America accolades. Quirk was the Division III National Coach of the Year in 2008, New England Lacrosse Coach of the Year in 2014 and the New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) Man of the Year in 2015. Off the field in Beverly, Quirk worked in compliance, fundraising, admissions, strategic planning and student-athlete development for the athletic department. Quirk's responsibilities with the Boston Cannons included drafting players out of college, hiring and managing assistant coaches and developing the goalkeepers as the Professional Head Lacrosse Coach with the organization. In 2020, Quirk guided the Cannons to the Major League Lacrosse Championship title with a 13-10 win over the Denver Outlaws.   "I look forward to working with the passionate and dedicated Springfield College Community that lives the SC mission and Humanics philosophy which is committed to leading students through Spirit, Mind and Body during their college experience," said Quirk. "To say I'm eager to get to work with our current team, staff, prospective student athletes and their families is an understatement. Springfield College is a special place." Quirk began his lacrosse journey as a student-athlete on Alden Street playing under Keith Bugbee from 1992-95. During his time at Springfield College, Quirk helped the Pride to the NCAA Division II National Championship title in 1994 and then as captain in 1995, finished as the NCAA Division II National Runner Up. He was a USILA First Team All-American in 1995 and USILA Second Team All-American in 1994. After his time as a student-athlete, Quirk went on to play professionally with the Boston Blazers from 1995-97 and also completed his master's degree as a graduate assistant at Springfield College during the same time. Quirk will take over a Springfield College men's lacrosse team that has a deep and storied tradition. For a program that dates back to 1928, Quirk is just the 14th head coach in Springfield men's lacrosse history.

Giannelli will enter his second season with the Springfield College men's lacrosse program during the 2015-16 academic year. The Norwich, Conn. native will be working with the defensive unit and the goalkeepers come the 2016 season. Giannelli earned his Bachelor's degree from Springfield in Sports Biology in May of 2014 after an illustrious career playing under the direction of head coach Keith Bugbee. During his time with Springfield, the Pride claimed four conference championships from 2011-2014. In his final year, Giannelli was named USILA Honorable Mention All-American at defense after anchoring a defensive unit that only allowed 8.21 goals per game, including just 4.00 per game to conference opponents during the regular season. A NEWMAC All-Conference First Team and NEILA All-New England First Team honoree, Giannelli picked up 36 ground balls and caused 13 turnovers.

Verge will enter his second season as a graduate assistant coach with the Pride in the spring of 2016. In his first year with the team, Verge helped lead Springfield to its eighth-straight conference title and berth into the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship Tournament after defeating Babson College, 13-7. While coaching a defensive unit that allowed just 9.76 goals per contest, the Derry, N.H. native will also be helping head coach Keith Bugbee with recruiting and writing practice plans. A four-year member of the Pride, Verge was a two-time captain as a short-stick defensive midfielder, including earning Second Team All-Pilgrim League honors his senior year. After earning his Bachelor's degree in Rehabilitation and Disibilities, Verge will be working towards his Master's degree in General Rehabilitation.

Bentivegna will enter his second year in the Strength and Conditioning department during the 2015-16 academic year. He will also be helping out with the Springfield College men's lacrosse program as a volunteer assistant coach. In addition as serving as a strength and conditioning coach for the men's lacrosse program, Bentivegna will also be working with the women's volleyball program and the men's sprinters and jumpers. Bentivegna comes to Springfield College from the University of Hartford, where he earned his Bachelor's of Science in Health Science in 2014. Prior to that, he worked as an intern with Revolution Athletics, Parisi Speed School and the Citadel, and a volunteer assistant with the Hofstra University. Bentivegna was also an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach with the College of Holy Cross last Spring.

Sam Serrano returns to the Springfield College men’s lacrosse program as a volunteer assistant coach for the 2025-2026 academic year.  Serrano finished his lacrosse career with the Pride and before coming to Springfield, he spent four years as a student-athlete at Utica College where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a minor in economics. In his final season at Utica, he was named a captain and an Empire 8 All-Conference Third Team selection. For his career, he recorded 125 points which sits fifth all-time in program history. Serrano started coaching the 3D Lacrosse New England 2028 Silver in September where he develops and implements practice plans that focus on player development, team systems, and game strategy.  Serrano also has experience in ticketing and sales as he interned with both the Utica Comets and Utica City Football Club. During his time with the organizations, he collaborated with front office staff to help assemble season ticket member giveaways, ticket packages, and arena information. Serrano also worked in the box office to efficiently sell tickets and support ticketing staff. Other duties included assisting with jersey auctions, raffles, and offering customer service support to all patrons.  He is currently pursuing a master's degree in athletic leadership from Springfield. 

Lynch returned to the Pride in the spring of 2016 as a graduate assistant coach, and will enter his second season focusing on the offensive side of the ball in 2016-17. The Frederick, Md. native will be recruiting and writing practice plans, as Lynch recently graduated from Springfield College with a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education and will be working to obtain his Master's degree in Athletic Administration. Lynch, who was a two-time Conference Player of the Year at attack, capped off his illustrious career with 84 points, including 32 goals and 52 assists during his senior year. His 84 points were the seventh most in the program's single-season history, while in his career, Lynch totaled 227 points, the sixth-most all time in program history. Elected as a captain prior to his senior year, Lynch's 133 careers assists is the third-highest total in Springfield history.

Springfield College Director of Athletics, Dr. Craig Poisson is pleased to announce that Chris Piatelli has been named as the full-time assistant coach for the Springfield College men's lacrosse program. "I'm truly grateful and humbled to join Springfield College Men's Lacrosse. Thank you to Dr. Poisson and Coach Quirk for welcoming me into this community. I'm excited to contribute to such a historic institution and program that reflects my coaching philosophy of a holistic approach and servant leadership," said Piatelli. "Having the chance to build upon Coach Bugbee's remarkable legacy is a unique honor. Springfield has always held a special place for me; ever since my uncle Jack, who played here, first introduced me to the game. I look forward to forging strong relationships with the players, coaches, alumni and the entire Springfield community." Piatelli joins the Springfield College community following coaching stops at Roanoke College, MIT and RPI.  While at Roanoke, Piatelli developed the Maroons into the third ranked scoring offense in Division III and a total of eight All-ODAC selections as well as four USILA All-America honorees and two USA Lacrosse Magazine All-Americans. Prior to his time in Virginia, Piatelli served as the assistant coach and offensive and recruiting coordinator at MIT and RPI working to develop practice plans, scouting reports, break down film, recruiting trips, set up and coordinate recruit visits, academic support, skill development, travel schedule and budgetary needs. Piatelli coached a total His time at MIT saw Piatelli coach a total of six All-NEWMAC selections, while at RPI he guided the Engineers to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2016 during the 2022 campaign which also saw RPI defeat top-ranked RIT, No. 6 Saint Lawrence, No. 10 Union and No. 18 Muhlenberg in 2023.   "Chris brings extensive experience in coaching men's lacrosse to Alden Street, encompassing player development and leadership development, which will serve as a significant asset to Coach Quirk and his staff," said Poisson. "His appointment bodes well for our men's lacrosse student-athletes as we look forward to the 2026 season." Outside of the collegiate space, Piatelli has coached lacrosse with the New England Twisters, New England Blazers, New York Atlas of the Premier Lacrosse League, Central Catholic High School,  the Middlesex Bears Lacrosse program, Derby Academy and Noble & Greenough School. Piatelli was a three-sport standout at The Albany Academy, playing football, hockey and lacrosse. He attended Hamilton College, where he played four years of lacrosse and two years of collegiate hockey before graduating with a degree in political science. He earned a Master's in sport management from Endicott College in 2023. "I am pleased to welcome Chris to our coaching staff," said Head Coach Sean Quirk. "Chris brings a broad range of experience in men's lacrosse, and his knowledge of the game will be a tremendous benefit to our student-athletes."

Jackson Lalonde G’25 returns to the Springfield College men’s lacrosse team serving as an assistant coach and the Director of Team Operations for the 2025-26 academic year. Last season, Lalonde was a graduate assistant coach for the Pride and helped the team to an appearance in the NEWMAC Conference Championship. Lalonde finished his lacrosse career with the Pride in 2024 and was also a student-athlete at St. Lawrence for four years. During his time as a student-athlete at both institutions, he headed the annual “Mustache Madness” fundraising campaign through the Headstrong Foundation which aims to help support and improve the lives of those affected by cancer.  This fall, Lalonde started working as a director at the New England Faceoff Academy where he creates practice and training plans for individuals that specialize in faceoffs. He also develops content for the social media which is specific to faceoff training and coaches at events run by the organization. Since September of 2024, he has been a head coach at 3D New England South where Lalonde coaches the 2027 team to help them develop both their lacrosse skills and IQ. Lalonde graduated from St. Lawrence with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in public health and completed his master’s in athletic leadership from Springfield.  

Kaden Quirk ‘25 returns to the Springfield College men’s lacrosse program as a graduate assistant coach for the 2025-2026 academic year and will serve as the Defensive Coordinator in this role. Quirk was a goalkeeper for the Pride and was named a captain during the 2025 season. In his senior campaign, he started all 17 games between the pipes, made 169 saves (50.6 save percentage), and produced ten wins. Quirk also recorded 27 ground balls, caused five turnovers, and dished out an assist for the Pride. He was named a Division III Scholar All-American by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) and also named to the NEWMAC All-Conference Second Team. Quirk was also selected to play in the NEILA East-West All-Star Game which pulls from men’s lacrosse players from around New England across Division I, II, and II for a premier lacrosse showcase of the region’s top student-athletes. Prior to his time at Springfield, Quirk spent two years as a student-athlete at Division I St. John’s University. While there, he recorded the most stops of any first-year goalie in program history.  Since 2020, Quirk has served as a goalie coach and administrator for Peak Goalie and Elite Lacrosse. In this role, he helps oversee camps and clinics around the country and has coached thousands of goalies during his time with the organizations. He works closely with camp directors to coordinate staff to run events while developing practice plans/camp schedules, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the camps, and acting as a liaison between camp and collegiate coaches during recruiting events.   He also serves as a youth and high school club lacrosse coach and is the head youth goalie coach for 3D New England. In his time with the organization, he has developed goalie curriculum for the entire youth program, coordinated defensive games plans, and planned and facilitated practices. With each summer team he has worked with, he has assisted in the team finishing within the top 15 nationally which includes leading the 2027 3D New England team to a 5th place finish.   Additionally, Quirk has worked with youth goalies all the way to collegiate goalkeepers including mentoring and developing over twenty high-level Division I commits. He was also named the Keynote Speaker on goalie play at the Massachusetts Youth Lacrosse Coaches Convention which highlights his growing reputation in the coaching community.  Quirk graduated from Springfield with a bachelor’s in integrative studies with a minor in athletic coaching and is now pursuing a master’s degree in athletic leadership.

Kevin Tierney ‘24 returns to the Springfield College men’s lacrosse program as a graduate assistant coach for the 2025-2026 academic year and will serve as an assistant coach for the offense. In his final season with the Pride, Tierney was named to the NEWMAC All-Conference Second Team after leading the team in assists with 19 to go along with the second-most goals with 21 and second-most points with 40. He also registered 23 ground balls and five caused turnovers. Along with a few of his teammates, Tierney was selected to play in the NEILA East-West All-Star Game which pulls from men’s lacrosse players from around New England across Division I, II, and II for a premier lacrosse showcase of the region’s top student-athletes. Tierney has experience coaching at the club level where he has been a head coach at 3D New England South since last fall. As a head coach, he takes the lead on team operations, practice planning, and in-game decision making. He works to design and implement both offensive and defensive systems and also takes the time to provide individualized skill instruction with his players to create player development plans.  Tierney graduated from Springfield with a bachelor’s degree in movement and sport studies with a minor in psychology and started his master’s in athletic leadership last fall.