SALEM, Va. --- Women’s Lacrosse head coach Mary Schwartz has announced her resignation from Roanoke College and her position with the women’s lacrosse program. The announcement was made by Director of Athletics Scott Allison and at the same time, Allison is pleased to announce that Zach Tamburello has been named interim head coach.
Allison on the departure of Schwartz; “During her tenure at Roanoke, Mary’s warmth and competitive spirit attracted many a quality women’s lacrosse player. She demonstrated an extraordinary amount of care and concern for each and every one of her student-athletes. Mary will be missed!”
Schwartz was at the helm for the Maroons the past 17 seasons after coming to Salem in advance of the 2005 campaign. During her time at Roanoke, Schwartz amassed 159 wins, including 96 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) wins and the 2009 ODAC Women’s Lacrosse Championship. In 2007 and 2009 Schwartz guided the Maroons into the NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Championship Tournament, advancing into the second round on each occasion.
“I would like to thank Roanoke college and especially our Director of Athletics, Scott Allison, for giving me and my family this incredible opportunity 17 years ago. Roanoke will forever be my home as a college lacrosse coach.”
Schwartz guided the Maroons to a second-place regular season and tournament finish in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) this past season as she leaves the program in a fantastic place. She steps down to take a position with Major Force Lacrosse. Schwartz will be serving as the Club Program Director for the high and middle school programs.
Allison didn’t have to look far to find a replacement and has announced that Tamburello has been elevated from assistant to interim head coach for the 2022 lacrosse season.
“Since his arrival, Zach has challenged our student-athletes to reach new heights. His influence on our attacking style of play has been widely recognized throughout the lacrosse community.” Allison continued, “Zach’s appointment signals continuity and allows our women’s lacrosse program to continue to build on the momentum of the 2021 season.”
Tamburello came to Roanoke College prior to the 2018 season and has helped the program to reestablish itself near the top of the ODAC standings.
“I am so excited for Zach stepping into this role, he is more than ready to be the Interim Head Coach! Working with him over the past four years and seeing how he has grown this is truly a great thing for the program.” Schwartz on the elevation of Tamburello, “I would like to take time to thank Zach for all his hard work and loyalty to me and to Roanoke Lacrosse.”
The Roanoke offense has benefitted from the leadership of Tamburello. In 2019 the Maroons averaged 16.42 goals per game, 18th in the nation, and last season, Roanoke scored 15.69 goals per contest on their way to being ranked as high as 24th in the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) DIII Top 25 Poll.
“I want to thank our Director of Athletics Scott Allison for this great opportunity to be the next leader of the Roanoke women’s lacrosse program. This is an amazing group of young women and I’m confident in the leadership we have on and off the field.” Tamburello on his opportunity and time with Schwartz, “Mary has been an incredible peer since the day I started. She has given me tremendous guidance from behind the scenes and on the lacrosse field. I am very grateful for my time working alongside her and it will be an adjustment not seeing her every day.”
During his four seasons as an assistant with the program, Roanoke College has had 18 All-ODAC, six VaSID All State, and six NCAA All Region players. In addition to coaching, Tamburello has gained extensive experience working camps all over the country at some of the top college and universities; Stanford, Florida, James Madison, UNC, and Oregon just to name a few.
“It is a privilege to continue to build on the legacy of Roanoke lacrosse. Roanoke College is a special place and I’m excited to get started”, said Tamburello.
Allison plans to conduct a nationwide search to fill the position at the end of the 2021-22 academic year.