WPU Picks Christiansen to be First-Ever Lacrosse Coach
05/11/2018
William Penn University Athletics Director Nik Rule is proud to announce that Luke Christiansen has been hired as the school’s first-ever Head Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse Coach.
Christiansen comes to WPU from East Carolina University where he served as head coach of the university’s club team this past year. He guided the squad to an 8-3 record, quadrupling the win total from the previous season. ECU also defeated North Carolina State for the first time in 11 years and Elon for the first time as division opponents.
Under his guidance, ECU finished with the highest RPI ranking in program history, while his face-off man led the country in win percentage. ECU broke the school record for scoring average as well.
“We are very excited to have Coach Christiansen join our staff to lead these new and exciting programs,” Rule said. “He brings extensive experience in the collegiate and international game, having success at all levels.”
Prior to his time at ECU, he was the head coach of the Chico Rebels Lacrosse club team for a year. He enjoyed his most prominent role, however, as the Spain’s national team coach from 2014 to 2016.
At Chico, he directed instructional programming for over 120 boys and girls and guided the varsity team to its first-ever state title.
He became the winningest coach in Spanish national team history and developed the top defense in its history by setting records for goals against and goals against average.
“It was very apparent during the interview process that Coach Christiansen understands his own self leadership, and because of that will be able to build our new programs in the most effective manner,” Rule said. “We are impressed with the strategic plan he put forth and believe it fits right into our plan for men’s and women’s lacrosse. We could not be more happy to have Luke leading the way.”
Christiansen was the director of recruiting for his alma mater Southern Virginia University from 2012 to 2014. His recruiting efforts netted an Inside Lacrosse Top 50 recruit as well as a transfer from Syracuse University.
Christiansen has also spent time as the head coach at Camden Military Academy (2011-2013) and as the assistant coach and recruiting director at Utah State University (2009-2010).
While at CMA, the team made consecutive state semifinal appearances. During his tenure at USU, the program owned its lowest goals against average ever and posted its first shutout in its history.
“I am extremely grateful to be chosen to lead the men’s and women’s lacrosse programs at William Penn University,” Christiansen said. “I have dreamed of the opportunity to build a college lacrosse program from the ground up; after witnessing William Penn’s commitment to lacrosse, I quickly realized this was the perfect opportunity for me. I have had many great experiences throughout my career, and these experiences have uniquely prepared me to be successful in this opportunity. It truly is the perfect fit for me and my family.”
At Southern Virginia, he competed in lacrosse and football.
Christiansen graduated from SVU in 2009 with degrees in Creative Writing and Spanish; he also received his Master’s of Sports Management from Missouri Baptist University in 2012.
For more information, contact:
Wade Steinlage
Sports Information Director
641-673-1025 | steinlagew@wmpenn.edu