Dan Mulford and Bill Bowman will join the Southwestern University Lacrosse staff in the fall to help Coach Ernst guide a young team through their inaugural intercollegiate season. Mulford was named as the assistant coach and defensive coordinator while Bowman will be will cover face-off teams, EMO and other duties to be named later.

Mulford comes to Southwestern after recently graduating in May with a degree in Marketing from Robert Morris University in Moon Township, PA. He was a four year starter on defense for the Colonials NCAA D-I program and was voted captain by his teammates three years.

“I would like to thank Dr. Munt, Ronda Seagraves and Coach Ernst for the opportunity to be on the staff here at Southwestern University as the Assistant Lacrosse Coach” states, Mulford. “The school has a long standing tradition in excellence and I am very excited to carry that onto the lacrosse field.”

“Dan was a three time captain at RMU and I do not think that even says enough about his ability to lead”, says Robert Morris Head Coach Bear Davis. “He was a tremendous student athlete. He truly made RMU a better place over his 4 year career. I think his transition to being a coach will be an easy one and he will do a great job for Coach Ernst at Southwestern.”

A tradition in lacrosse is nothing new for Mulford whose upbringing in Lutherville, MD has led to he and his siblings all playing lacrosse collegiately. His older sister, Kelly, played for Duquesne University and older brother, Bryan, was a member of The Ohio State University lacrosse team. Currently, Mulford’s younger brother, Patrick, is a part of the Washington College squad.

“Dan is one of those truly special individuals that will make a quick and promising rise in the coaching ranks.” said Ernst. “Dan is a natural leader who has helped the RMU team get to where they are. We look for big things from him as he helps the Pirates become a nationally recognized program.”

Bowman is no stranger to the Southwestern lacrosse sidelines as he has coached the immensely successful club team for the past 12 years. His teams have amassed a record of 93-75 including a perfect 31-0 conference record covering five seasons that culminated in five Lone Star Alliance Division II Championships (2005-2009). In each year the Pirates were invited to the National Tournament and advanced to the quarterfinals in 2008. Southwestern has been ranked in the top 15 nationally since 2005 and ended their final season of club status in 2009 ranked #9 in the nation.

Under Bowman’s tutelage there have been 14 All-Americans, 54 LSA All-Conference selections in addition to coaching the league MVP in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 as well as Offensive Player-of-the-Year in 2005, 2007 and 2008 and Defensive Player of the Year in 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009. For all of his hard work Bowman was named as Coach-of-the-Year twice, 2004-2005 and 2007-2008. He has vast experience in player development as only six players during his time with the club program have had prior experience.

Bowman is a 1992 graduate of Southwestern University.

“Coach Bowman will add many facets to our growing program. He has an intimate knowledge of the Southwestern University culture and student-athlete. He is one of the best team builders I have met in my life and will certainly help us to make the jump from upstart program to a national name in a very short time frame.” says Ernst. “After working with him this past season I can’t see how we could be successful without him!”

The Pirates will begin their inaugural season with a short official fall season and then begin competition in the Spring of 2010 on February 20th at home against Trine. To stay abreast of the Pirate Lacrosse program and for a full schedule please visit www.southwesternpirates.com.