Long-time University of Mary Washington men's lacrosse coach Kurt Glaeser will retire after 27 years of dedicated service to the University at the conclusion of the Spring 2016 semester. Glaeser, who for many years coached women's soccer and men's lacrosse at the University, ends his collegiate coaching career as a highly successful mentor and beloved colleague.
"I want to thank UMW for the opportunity", said Glaeser, after addressing his team on Wednesday. "It's been a rewarding experience and I'm going to miss working with young people. I like to think I've left the program with a strong returning roster, including all of our starters, and a very solid incoming freshman class. I think this lacrosse program could explode with the right leadership. It's time for me to move on, and these guys deserve a leader who's hungry for the next level. I'm happy to have had the gifted and dedicated athletes over the years who've provided me the opportunity to coach in a national tournament in two sports. I'm truly going to miss the other coaches and staff who work here… They are among the best in the profession."
"We congratulate Kurt on his outstanding 27-year career at Mary Washington", added UMW Director of Athletics Ken Tyler. "He won many games and championships, but more importantly he positively impacted many, many lives. This is a bittersweet day for us, but we thank Kurt for his outstanding contributions to UMW and wish him well in retirement."
A three-time Capital Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in lacrosse, Glaeser led his 2002 squad to the CAC championship game and set the school record with 11 wins. The Eagles returned to the title game in 2003 on the heels of a 10-win season. In 2004, UMW defeated 10th-ranked Cabrini College in another 10-win season in which the Eagles received their first-ever national ranking. In '06, the Eagles knocked off nationally ranked Hampden-Sydney College for the first time ever, and in 2007 they stopped nationally ranked St. Mary's College. In 2012, UMW received votes in the national poll for the fourth time and tied the school record for wins in a season, with 11. After gaining their highest national ranking ever at 17th in the nation in 2013, the Eagles shattered nearly every school record in 2014, finishing with a 14-4 record and advancing to the NCAA Tournament and ascending to a new height of 12th in the nation.
Glaeser, who also served 18 years as head coach for UMW's nationally renowned women's soccer program, posted more than 250 combined wins in the past decade and received eight conference Coach of the Year awards. In addition to the lacrosse program's evolving into a power, his women's soccer team also thrived, advancing to the sweet sixteen in 2003 after upsetting second-ranked Messiah College in the regional semifinals and moving to the elite eight in 2004 by topping Ohio Wesleyan in the sweet 16. In soccer, his teams won 12 Capital Athletic Conference championships and advanced to 12 NCAA Championships, as he gained one of the best winning percentages in NCAA Division III soccer history, at 71.0%, with 244 career wins in soccer.
A fine lacrosse player in his own right, Glaeser's playing career began as a midfielder at famed Loyola High School in Baltimore, Md., and continued both as a midfielder and an attack at Western Maryland College. In 1978, under legendary coach Bill Thomas, Glaeser (a tri-captain and all-conference selection) helped the Green Terror to its first Middle Atlantic Conference title. His post-collegiate career included playing experience with several club teams. Prior to coming to Fredericksburg, Glaeser was the head coach at Drew University in 1981 and 1982. He received his master of arts degree in physical education from Montclair State College.
The process of a search for the men's lacrosse coach position will begin immediately. "We have an outstanding opportunity that will attract many qualified candidates", said Tyler.