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Vitulano and Hurley named Assistant Coaches at Tennessee

Sep. 4, 2009

KNOXVILLE, TN. (September 4, 2009) – University of Tennessee Lacrosse Club Head Coach Matt Synowiez announced on Friday, September 4th that Mike Vitulano and Chris Hurley will join the Volunteers coaching staff. Mike Vitulano will primarily assist Coach Synowiez with the offense, while Chris Hurley will primarily work with current Assistant Coach and Defensive Coordinator Chris Kelley with the defense.

Michael Vitulano is a native of Fairfield, CT. He played collegiate lacrosse at NCAA Div III Wesleyan University. As a midfielder, he helped his team to the first two NCAA DIII tournament appearances in school history, including a trip to the final four his senior year. He finished his career with 92 points. His coaching experience includes two seasons coaching at the middle school level for MetroLacrosse, a non-profit, inner city organization in Boston. Currently, he is in his second year of training in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at The University of Tennessee. He does research on risks for childhood problem behavior and sees patients through the university’s clinic.

Chris Hurley is a first year graduate student from Amherst, New York, studying for his PhD in chemistry.  He played his high school lacrosse for Amherst Central High School.  During his time there, he was named to the Western Empire State Games team in 2004 and an all-American in 2005.  He joins the Vols coaching staff after completing an undergraduate career at Hobart College in Geneva, New York.  Chris played in thirty seven games as a long stick midfielder for the Statesmen over a four year career.  As a Statesmen he was named to the 2008 and 2009 ECAC All-Academic Team.  He brings his defensive knowledge to assist a strong defense led by defensive coordinator Chris Kelley.

“We are extremely excited to add these two individuals to the University of Tennessee’s Men’s Lacrosse Club coaching staff,” Head Coach Matt Synowiez said.  “Both Mike and Chris have played lacrosse at the highest of levels and they have already brought a new level of energy to the Volunteers program.  Their experiences and backgrounds will make every player in the program better.  The Volunteers have made tremendous strides in the last few years, and adding these two individuals is another great leap forward for the program.  We return the core of the players that lead the Volunteers to a 9-4 season in 2008-2009, the best season since the 2000 team went 18-4 and made it to the National Tournament.  The incoming Fall 2009 class adds another layer of talent to an already strong group.  The Volunteers look forward to the upcoming season and to the contributions that Mike and Chris will make.”