Jon Lombardo will join the St. Mary’s Ryken athletic department in August as the new Head Boys Lacrosse Coach and Assistant Athletic Director
News Release, St. Mary’s Ryken High School
Leonardtown, MD- Coach Jon Lombardo has been the full-time Assistant Coach of the Men’s Lacrosse Team at the University of Lynchburg for three years. He also served as the graduate assistant for the team while he attended the university to earn a master’s degree in Educational Leadership.
While supporting the team, the University of Lynchburg’s Men’s Lacrosse Team made six consecutive trips to the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championship game, capturing three titles. The program has earned eight consecutive bids to the NCAA Tournament, making two appearances in the NCAA Quarterfinals and one appearance in the National Championship Game. From 2013 through 2019, the program has accumulated an overall record of 105-49, with a 68-14 record against conference opponents and a 10-7 mark in the NCAA Tournament.
“As the SMR head boys lacrosse coach, I plan to put together a staff that will help build and implement our culture based on the core values that will make up the identity of who we will become as St. Mary’s Ryken Boy’s Lacrosse,” said Coach Jon Lombardo. “Establishing this foundation will allow us to attract and mentor great young men during the player-coach partnership. Our culture will be lived out and acted on through the six core values of character: ownership, passion, relationships, academics, and lacrosse. Establishing these values in alignment with the values of St. Mary’s Ryken will begin with our current student-athletes as well as help to develop the program and identify our future student-athletes. We will use our vision for the lacrosse culture and the values of St. Mary’s Ryken to build a championship caliber program that will compete to win the WCAC Championship while creating men of the highest integrity.”
Coach Lombardo earned his bachelor’s of science degree in elementary education with a history minor from Lynchburg College. During his time at Lynchburg, Coach Lombardo played on the varsity men’s lacrosse team and was the team captain for two years. He also is a two time Lynchburg Lacrosse Leadership Award recipient, a United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association All American and two-time All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference selection.
“We are thrilled to have Coach Lombardo join our athletic department and the St. Mary’s Ryken Community,” said Duane Atherton, SMR Athletic Director. “He brings extensive defensive and offensive coaching experience from the college level and overall lacrosse acumen to our lacrosse community. I am confident Coach Lombardo will lead the team with an honorable and competitive culture and respect the tradition of St. Mary’s Ryken lacrosse.
In his role as assistant athletic director, he will be a true asset to all of our student-athletes and to every team as we help to lead each of the 40 SMR athletic teams through successful and competitive seasons.”