ITHACA, N.Y. – After conducting a national search, the Ithaca College Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is pleased to announce the hiring of Tommy Pearce as the next head coach of men's lacrosse. Pearce succeeds Jeff Long, who retired after 36 years at the helm of the program. Pearce will begin his appointment in August.
"Tommy Pearce emerged from a rigorous national search as the ideal candidate to take the helm of Ithaca College men's lacrosse," said Susan Bassett '79, Associate Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. "His experience as a player and coach in a championship culture at Gettysburg and his proven track record of success in building two programs from scratch to competitive success, earned our absolute confidence in his ability to build on the legacy established in IC men's lacrosse. Beyond that, his commitment to student-athlete success in every aspect of their educational experience is prominent in his philosophy of coaching. I am delighted to welcome Coach Pearce to the Bomber family and join the campus community."
Pearce comes to South Hill after spending the past five seasons (four playable seasons) as the head coach at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa. Pearce was the first coach at Allegheny as the Gators officially began competition in 2020 and went from one win in that inaugural season to eight victories this past spring, with a trip to the Presidents' Athletic Conference Tournament.
"I would like to thank Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreational Sports, Susan Bassett, and the search committee for this incredible opportunity to lead the men's lacrosse team at Ithaca College," said Pearce. "I can't wait to join the campus community on South Hill and begin preparing with the team for the 2024 season. I look forward to honoring the tradition of excellence in athletics and men's lacrosse at IC as well as Coach Long's legacy by competing for conference and national championships year in and year out."
Prior to starting the program at Allegheny, Pearce was tasked with revitalizing the men's lacrosse team at Frostburg State from 2009-18. Frostburg returned to the field in 2011 and within two years, won more than 10 games, including a program record 16 in 2015. Pearce was named Capital Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2013 and 2015, and the Bobcats would be nationally ranked in 2015 and 2016.
Pearce began his collegiate coaching career at his alma mater, Gettysburg College, where he served as an assistant coach from 2005-09. He has also served as an NCAA Site Representative numerous times and was an NCAA Committee Member, holding various positions (USILA voting member, Division III South Region
ranking committee and the USILA All-American committee).
As a student-athlete at Gettysburg, Pearce was a two-time All-American and team captain for the Bullets as a junior and senior. Gettysburg reached the national championship game in 2001, as Pearce would later go on to play in the North-South All-Star Game. He would be inducted into the Gettysburg Athletic Hall of Fame in 2020 and was selected to the Centennial Conference Silver Anniversary Team in 2018.
He received his bachelor's degree in English from Gettysburg in 2001 and earned his master's in exercise science and physical education with an athletic administration concentration from McDaniel College in 2009.
"I would also like to recognize and thank our search committee and the interview team. Sean Fitzmaurice – Associate AD, Michael Toerper – Head Football Coach, Karrie Moore – Head Women's Lacrosse Coach, David Valesente – Head Baseball Coach and Marty Nichols – Head Wrestling Coach. Mike Matheny – Athletic Trainer, Graeme Corrigan – Assistant Director of Admissions, Tim Reynolds – Assistant Professor in Exercise Science and Athletic Training, Jim Yaggie – Professor and Director of Health Sciences and Human Performance, Barbie Bargher – Associate Director of Student Financial Services, Waleed Farid – Head Men's Basketball Coach, Johan Dulfer – Head Volleyball Coach, Maureen Ordnung – Associate Head Field Hockey Coach, Justin Stangel – Head Men's Rowing Coach, and men's lacrosse student-athletes PJ Roth and Aidan Martin," concluded Bassett.
