McGinnis returns to Salisbury University, named Associate Athletic Director

SALISBURY, Md. - A former Sea Gull returns to the Salisbury University family as Director of Athletics and Recreation Dr. Michael Vienna announced the hiring of Matt McGinnis as Associate Athletic Director.

McGinnis (Class of 1997) returns to his Alma Mater after spending the past four years as the head men's lacrosse coach at Denison University in Granville, Ohio. His first day on the job will be August 27.

"We are thrilled to have someone of Matt's caliber in this new position within our Athletic Department," said Vienna. "Matt has an excellent coaching background and strong ties to the area. We are excited to have him in this new capacity with us. We welcome him back to the Sea Gull family."

McGinnis, 35, is excited to move back to the Eastern Shore to be closer to family. His fiancée Lauren Harman is a Berlin, Md., native and a school teacher in Worcester County. The two are slated to wed next summer.

"Family is first in my life. I have been away from the area for over five years. It is time for me to put my family first," said McGinnis. "I loved all of my experiences at SU. To be back there and give back to the university is just something that I am honored to do and extremely excited to do."

McGinnis was a three-sport student-athlete during his undergraduate tenure at SU. He lettered in cross country, football and swimming. He later served as a student-assistant with the SU women's lacrosse team. After graduation from SU, McGinnis taught in the local Eastern Shore school systems. He served as physical education teacher for five years with stops at Delmar High School and Berlin Intermediate School. He served as an assistant coach along side SU men's lacrosse coach Jim Berkman for the 2002 and 2003 seasons. In his final year with the Sea Gulls on the sideline McGinnis helped SU win its fourth national championship.

"It is great to come back and work at my Alma Mater where I got my coaching start. I am excited to work with Dr. Vienna who is one of the best in the business right now along with the coaching staffs," said McGinnis. "I am ready for the challenges I am going to face and I am looking forward to working with the student-athletes at Salisbury."

The next season he served as an assistant coach with the Gettysburg College men's lacrosse program before heading west to Denison.

McGinnis compiled a record of 35-13 in three seasons with the Big Red which includes three appearances in the NCAA tournament and two North Coast Athletic Conference championships. Last season, Denison went 14-3 and finished the year ranked No. 12 in the country. The 14 wins are the most by a Big Red squad since the 1982 season. McGinnis earned NCAC Coach of the Year honors in 2008. Denison was nationally ranked for its defense and goalie Alex Baruch took home Division III Goalie of the Year honor. McGinnis was the sixth head coach of the Denison men's lacrosse program in its over 50-year history. He served as an assistant coach during the 2005 season.

McGinnis holds degree in physical education and a master's degree in counseling he earned from Wilmington (Del.) College in 2004.