Friars make it official - hire new lacrosse coach
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Providence College made it official Tuesday, hiring Chris Gabrielli to take over the men's lacrosse program.
As reported last week by GoLocalProv.com, Gabrielli takes over from Chris Burdick, who resigned in May after 14 seasons as head lacrosse coach at PC.
Gabrielli spent the last six seasons as an assistant coach at Duke, where he worked primarily with the Blue Devils' defensive team. He also served as the program's recruiting coordinator - which will prove crucial for future successes at PC - as the Friars continue to upgrade from non-scholarship status to a fully-funded Big East program.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"I'd like to thank those that have guided and prepared me for this incredible opportunity," Gabrielli said. "Providence College is a special place, and that is a direct result of the leadership and the people. (Athletic Director) Bob Driscoll and the entire athletic department have impressed me thoroughly with their family and team approach, and have presented PC to me and my family with class.
"I will be forever grateful for this opportunity."
While at Duke, Gabrielli helped lead the program to six NCAA Final Four appearances, and two trips to the National Championship game, winning one title in 2010. Duke also won five ACC regular season titles and four ACC Tournament titles during his tenure in Durham, NC. Previously, Gabrielli coached at Butler and at his alma mater UMass. He was a four-year letterman for the Minutemen from 1998-2001, claiming first-team all New England honors as a senior defenseman.
"The chance to lead a program that has committed itself to excellence is a dream come true," Gabrielli said. "The Big East Conference demands respect, and a renewed commitment to Providence lacrosse in the form of scholarships, facilities and staff has invigorated the program with an energy and excitement for the future."
A native of Farmingdale, NY, the PC position is Gabrielli's first as a collegiate head coach.
