APPLETON, Wis. -- Michael Zadroga is the first head coach in the history of Lawrence University men's lacrosse.
Zadroga's hiring was announced by Director of Athletics Jason Imperati today and is the first big step toward the program's debut in 2025.
"I would like to thank Jason Imperati and the entire Lawrence University staff for providing me with the incredible opportunity to become the first men's lacrosse head coach in Lawrence history," Zadroga said.
"As someone who had the pleasure of being a part of a new program as a player, I am excited about the unique opportunity to build something special from the ground up. Lawrence is a special place, and it felt like home from the moment I arrived on campus, which is what I have been searching for. During the hiring process, it was evident that the people and community at Lawrence are why it is special, and why I knew it was the right fit."
Lawrence announced in February it would be adding men's and women's lacrosse to its offering of varsity sports. Both teams are set to begin play in the 2024-25 academic year.
"Coach Zadroga's energy and enthusiasm for the game of lacrosse really came through during the interview process," Imperati said. "He has a strong vision, wants to be active in our community and is ready to get to work. We have found the right leader to build our lacrosse program and are thankful to have him on our team."
Zadroga comes to Lawrence from Davis and Elkins College in Elkins, W.Va., where he had served as the head coach of the men's lacrosse team since 2022. His first season was one of rebuilding for Zadroga, but the Senators notched three wins and had three All-Great Midwest Athletic Conference selections.
A native of King of Prussia, Pa., Zadroga has ties to Wisconsin as he earned a bachelor's degree in communications from Marquette University in 2019. Zadroga played in 13 games over five seasons with the Golden Eagles.
"The vision for this program and for athletics at Lawrence greatly aligns with my own, and I am eager to start building this program," Zadroga said. "I am looking forward to building the first team and establishing a strong culture built on love, max effort and discipline, which will help us on the field as we emphasize playing a style of lacrosse that is fun, fast and free."
Zadroga served as an assistant coach at Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y., in fall 2022 before taking the head coaching job at Davis and Elkins. He also completed his master's degree in education with a teaching certification from Cabrini University in 2022.
Zadroga spent the 2022 season as the head boys' lacrosse coach at Owen J. Roberts High School in Pottstown, Pa. He guided Roberts to a 15-7 record, a berth in the conference championship game and a second-round appearance in the District 1AAA playoffs.
Active in coaching club lacrosse, Zadroga served as the head coach of the 2027 club and served as face-off coach for the 2023-25 team for the Big 4 Triple H program.
"I also must thank my incredible mentors, coach Joe Amplo, coach Stephen Brundage, coach Jake Richard, coach Brady McCormick and coach Steve Colfer for their continuous help and support," Zadroga said.
A star player at Upper Merion High School in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Zadroga was a two-year team captain. He led his team to the playoffs in both his junior and senior seasons. Zadroga piled up 195 career points at Upper Merion, and included in that total was 143 goals. A first-team Suburban One American Conference midfielder for three seasons (2012-14), Zadroga also earned second-team All-Philly honors in 2014.
Zadroga played club lacrosse for Duke's LC and the Main Line Lacrosse Club. He was part of the 2013 Tri-State championship team with Duke's LC.
The Vikings are currently working to hire a head coach for the women's program and establishing in which conference the teams will compete, according to Imperati. The teams also will have new locker rooms as the Team Complex is constructed this summer at Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl.
