Marc Van Arsdale Named Assistant Lacrosse Coach
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July 31, 2001
Charlottesville, Va. – Head men’s lacrosse coach Dom Starsia announced today the hiring of Marc Van Arsdale as the head assistant coach on his staff. Van Arsdale replaces Chris Colbeck, who resigned earlier in the summer to pursue other interests.
In his role on Starsia’s staff, Van Arsdale will be heavily involved in all aspects of the Virginia program and will serve as the team’s offensive coordinator.
Van Arsdale returns to Charlottesville following a five-year stint (1997-2001) as the head coach at the University of Pennsylvania, where he led the Quakers to a 27-39 overall record.
Prior to accepting the head coaching position at Penn, Van Arsdale served as an assistant coach at UVa, first under former head coach Jim Adams (1991-92) and later as a member of Starsia’s first UVa staff from 1993-96. During that time the Cavaliers made two appearances in the championship game of the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the national semifinals one additional time.
He was instrumental in the recruiting and development of some of the top offensive players in Virginia history including David Curry, Doug Knight, Kevin Pehlke, Tucker Radebaugh, Greg Traynor, Michael Watson and Tim Whiteley among others.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to have been the head coach at an outstanding institution like Penn and I believe that program has a solid foundation for the future,” said Van Arsdale. “I am extremely excited about the prospects of coaching at Virginia and having my family return to the Charlottesville area. It was a very difficult decision to leave UVa the first time, and I’m glad to have the opportunity to come back. I look forward to being able to work with coach Starsia again and be a part of one of the nation’s top programs.”
A native of Geneva, N.Y., Van Arsdale is a 1985 magna cum laude graduate of Hobart where he excelled both academically and athletically. He played on four Division III championship teams, earning first-team All-America honors as a senior. Chosen the Most Valuable Player in the D-III championship game in 1983 and 1985, Van Arsdale led the Statesmen in scoring his last two seasons and played in the North-South game his senior year.
Van Arsdale received an NCAA postgraduate scholarship in 1985 after being named to the Dean’s List all four years at Hobart. He was also chosen a Presidential Scholar and was elected a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society.
The 37-year old Van Arsdale began his coaching career with positions at Nazareth and Massachusetts. He served as an assistant at his alma mater, Hobart, from 1987-90 where he helped the Statesmen to four consecutive D-III national championships.
“Marc’s coming back to Virginia is the best possible development for our lacrosse program,” said Starsia. “He is one of the most highly regarded coaches in our sport and it presents a unique opportunity to have someone of his character and experience on our staff. Marc is a close friend and our previous time together will make this an easy transition in the office and on the field. This is an exciting moment for Virginia lacrosse.”
Van Arsdale is married to the former Karen Salemo of Suffern, N.Y. The couple has two children–a son, Owen (8), and a daughter, Elise (6).
Van Arsdale assumes his new duties at UVa starting Aug. 15.