Men's Lacrosse
- Title:
- Dir. of Lacrosse Operations
- Email:
- lcrogers@syr.edu
- Phone:
- 4708
A veteran head lacrosse coach at the Division III and professional levels, Lelan Rogers was named an assistant coach following the 2007 season and serves as the Orange’s defensive coordinator. In addition, Rogers handles various administrative duties involving compliance, development, camps, scheduling and recruiting. Prior to his current appointment, Rogers worked as SU’s director of lacrosse operations for two seasons and was the head coach of Major League Lacrosse’s (MLL) Chicago Machine in 2007.
In 2008, his first season as the Orange’s defensive coordinator, Rogers was the architect of a unit that posted a 7.62 goals-against average, the best mark for an SU defense since 1970. Syracuse held 13 of its 18 opponents to fewer than 10 goals on its way to the NCAA Championship, and two of Rogers’ charges (Sid Smith and Kyle Guadagnolo) earned honorable mention All-America laurels following the season.
A 1987 graduate of Syracuse University, Rogers returned to his alma mater in 2005, following a five-year stint as head men’s lacrosse coach at Cortland, to serve in the position of director of lacrosse operations. In that role, he was responsible for many of the administrative tasks he performs now, as well as team travel and academics.
Rogers compiled an impressive record of 76-17 (.817) during his five seasons as the head coach at Cortland. He guided the Red Dragons to five NCAA Division III Tournament berths and four SUNYAC titles.
In 2005, Rogers led his team to a 17-2 record, the SUNYAC title and an appearance in the national quarterfinals. In 2004, Cortland was 15-3, won the SUNYAC regular-season title, and tied for fifth nationally. In 2003, Rogers was named SUNYAC Coach of the Year after Cortland finished 17-3. The Red Dragons won two NCAA playoff games and missed qualifying for the national championship game by one goal, losing in double overtime to three-time defending champion Middlebury.
Rogers also previously coached at Ohio Wesleyan from 1991-99, where he led the lacrosse team to seven NCAA Division III playoff appearances and a 109-33 record. He guided the Battling Bishops to the NCAA Division III championship game in 1993 and five other national semifinal appearances. His teams won six North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) titles and he was named NCAC Coach of the Year four times.
Overall, Rogers has coached 72 All-Americans, including 23 at Cortland and two at Syracuse. Among those honorees was Cortland’s Justin Mendelson, the 2002 USILA Division III Defenseman of the Year, and 1998 USILA Division III Player of the Year Darren McGurn of Ohio Wesleyan. Three-time Cortland All-American Andrew Roth was a 2004 draft pick of the Philadelphia Barrage (MLL) and the San Jose Stealth (NLL) after playing for Rogers.
In addition to his lacrosse duties, Rogers was an assistant facility director and physical education teacher at Ohio Wesleyan. He served as an assistant football coach from 1990-94 and he was the owner and director of the Ohio Wesleyan Midwest All-Star Lacrosse Camp for nine years, and the Ohio Wesleyan Best of the West 150 Lacrosse Camp for four years.
A native of Fulton, N.Y., Rogers earned a bachelor’s degree in speech communication in 1987 and a master’s degree in higher education administration/athletic administration from the University in 1990. He was a member of SU’s NCAA semifinal team in 1987 and was a graduate assistant coach for the Orange’s national championship squads from 1988-90.
A team captain for the Syracuse wrestling program, Rogers was an NCAA qualifier and New York State Collegiate champion. He was also a
two-time Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) finalist.
Before enrolling at Syracuse, Rogers attended St. Lawrence University where he played lacrosse, football and served as captain of the wrestling team. He was a Division III national wrestling champion at 190 pounds in 1985 and the national runner-up at 177 pounds in 1983.
Rogers and his wife, Terri, their daughter, Paige, and son, Casey, reside in Cortland.
