Staff Directory

Nick Acquaviva

Title:
Assistant Coach
Email:
Phone:
4390

Returning to Central New York, Nick Acquaviva is now in his fifth season as an assistant coach for the Syracuse University men’s lacrosse team heading into the 2026-27 academic year.

Acquaviva, a Cicero North Syracuse High School product, joins the Orange after spending two seasons at Cleveland State. Duties at Syracuse include working with the goalkeeping corps and the faceoff units.

“I would like to thank Coach Gary Gait for the opportunity to join such an amazing coaching staff,” said Acquaviva. “It’s an honor to be part of such a historic program. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to continue my coaching career in my hometown, working with the program I grew up idealizing.”

Mentoring the netminders, Acquaviva has seen two goalies - Will Mark and Jimmy McCool - become All-Americans, the first time Syracuse had All-American goalies in four straight seasons since 1983-85. Backing Syracuse to its first ACC title in a decade, McCool was named ACC Goalie of the Year and the ACC Tournament MVP in 2025. That same season, McCool finished with a 10.49 goals against average, the best for an Orange netminder in a full season since 2019.

With Acquaviva working closely with the faceoff unit, Syracuse has had some of the best success at that position in Division I, finishing inside the top 10 twice since 2023 in team faceoff winning percentage. In 2024, Mason Kohn finished 13th nationally with a 58.3 winning percentage, while John Mullen had back-to-back All-America years, highlighted by a 63.0 percentage in 2025, finishing seventh nationally and eighth for a single-season in program history.

Through his junior season (2026), Mullen is already the program’s all-time career ground ball leader with 399 to his credit, including 182 during the 2025 season, a program single-season record.

Acquaviva, a former netminder at New England College and Onondaga Community College, worked closely with the goalies, with a focus on skill, technique and mindset. During his time in northeast Ohio, Acquaviva helped implement the Vikings’ ride and clear package, ran the substitution box, and assisted with the offense during practice. Additionally, he helped break down film from opponents, practice, and Cleveland State games. He handled travel duties for road games and was instrumental in daily practice planning.

Prior to Cleveland State, Acquaviva spent time in Central New York at both Colgate University and SUNY Cortland. While in Hamilton, Acquaviva worked closely with the goalies and man-down units, rides and clears, film sessions, travel plans, and equipment management. During his two-year stint at Cortland, Acquaviva spent time as the defensive and recruiting coordinator, while overseeing the netminders. The Red Dragons went 29-9 over his two-year span as Acquaviva oversaw two Second Team USILA All-Americans and five honorable mention selections.

Acquaviva spent time at Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, North Carolina, working with the nationally-ranked program. While there as the defensive coordinator and goalie coach, Acquaviva oversaw a player drafted to the National Lacrosse League (NLL) and organized fundraising ideas and events. Acquaviva got his start in the collegiate coaching ranks at Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Acquaviva played collegiately at New England College in Henniker, New Hampshire, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. A two-time all-conference honoree, Acquaviva backed the Pilgrims to their first North Atlantic Conference title, earning NAC Tournament MVP honors. He made 74 career starts, with 789 saves and a .583 save percentage.