The Elizabethtown College Athletics Department and the Director of Athletics Nancy J. Latimore have announced that they have hired Rob Brooks as head coach of the women’s lacrosse program. Brooks will be the fourth coach in the program’s history. He inherits a program that has already proven successful, that in its 11-year existence has won 112 games and two Middle Atlantic Conference championships.
Brooks joins the Etown staff after coaching at fellow Division III school Marywood University for the past four seasons. While in his time with the Pacers, Brooks accumulated a record of 46-28, guiding Marywood to the playoffs in each of his four seasons with the team.
Brooks brings a high level of success at the conference level, winning almost 75 percent of the Pacers’ Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) competitions. This success comes as an addition to an Etown team that went a remarkable 7-1 in conference play, including a 2-0 record in the Middle Atlantic Conference playoffs. Brooks talked about how he plans to continue his winning ways here at Etown.
Brooks’ last season as the head man of Marywood’s squad could be considered his best as the Pacers broke the school record in wins at 16, earning the No. 1 seed in the CSAC Tournament for the second year in a row.
The Pacers ended the 2011 season as the NCAA Division III Statistical Champion in draw controls by averaging 18.78 per game. Marywood did not lack in offensive fire power, ranking second in Division III in scoring offense with 17.5 per game. Senior captain and IWLCA All-American Kara Solesky talked about the addition of Coach Brooks. “He is extremely qualified which will allow  us to play at a higher level than we have ever played before. I’m really excited to have a more fast paced offense and defense and believe his knowledge on draw controls will increase our chances of winning by a landslide”
Brooks, who earned his Bachelor of Science in studio arts from Roberts Wesleyan College in 1996, and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in higher education and administration, strives for excellence both on the field and in the classroom. Off the field, Brooks’ student-athletes excelled in the classroom. During his four seasons at MU, eight of his players were recognized as IWLCA Academic All-Americans and more than 50 of his players achieved a spot on the CSAC’s Academic Team.
Coach Brooks’ previous college coaching experience includes stops at the University of Rochester (three seasons) and Marymount University (one season). While at these institutions as assistant coach, Brooks held responsibility for both the defense and goalies.
Prior to his college days, Brooks acted as a boys’ assistant coach at numerous high schools including stops in Rochester, N.Y. and Fairfax, Va. Brooks also was the head women’s coach at The Aquinas Institute during the 2008 season.
Along with his experience at the high school and collegiate levels, Brooks brings international experience to the College as well. Brooks has served as the head coach of the Polish Women’s National team for the past year. Prior to his time with team Poland, he served as an assistant coach with the Haudenosunee National Women’s Team from 2008 to 2009. Coach Brooks talked about how his time with these national teams will correlate to helping with his newest team’s success.
With the addition of Coach Brooks to an already talented and veteran team, the Blue Jays are set for yet another successful season.