July 13, 2006
Wylie Crisanti selected to lead Monarch lacrosse program
Former Division I head coach takes over a team that finished 11-4 in 2006

FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  St. Francis University head women's lacrosse coach Wylie Crisanti has accepted the same position at Methodist College, Athletics Director Bob McEvoy announced Thursday.  He takes over for Beth Brundage, who led the Monarchs to an 11-4 finish in her one season at the helm of the Monarch lacrosse program.

"Coach Crisanti will be a great addition to our Athletic Department as our new Women's Lacrosse Head Coach," said McEvoy. "He has quality collegiate head coaching experience at the NCAA Division I level and having been an NCAA Division III student-athlete and coach understands the role and responsibilities of a head coach at that level as well. I am anxious to work with him in continuing to grow our already successful women's lacrosse program."

Crisanti has spent two seasons at each level of NCAA competition.  He spent two years at the helm of the St. Francis program, which competes at the NCAA Division I level.  Prior to his time at St. Francis, he coached two seasons at NCAA Division II Lock Haven University as a graduate assistant coach and two seasons at NCAA Division III University of Scranton as an undergraduate assistant.

"I am excited to get started", an eager Crisanti said in a phone interview Tuesday. "I will have the same agenda as the players, I excited to work hard, keep getting better, and make sure we have fun while doing that."

Crisanti, who took over a St. Francis team that hadn't won a game in two years, finds himself in a much different situation at Methodist.  The Monarchs are fresh off their best season in their five year program history, finishing 11-4 this spring.  Despite losing the USA South Conference Player of the Year in Lindsey West, the Monarchs will return a solid nucleus of players to a program that has improved in record each year in the five-year history of the program.

"Methodist College sells itself," Crisanti said, "The success of the lacrosse program, the other athletic programs, the academic reputation, and the campus and community make this a great fit for me and for potential recruits."

A 2002 graduate of the University of Scranton with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, Crisanti earned his master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Lock Haven University in May of 2004.