GREENWOOD - Head men's lacrosse coach Anthony LePore and the Lander men's lacrosse program are pleased to announce Bryce Gifford as a full-time assistant for the upcoming season.
Coach Gifford will assume the role of defensive coordinator.
"From the moment Coach Gifford joined our staff, we have consistently done one thing, and that is improve. Not only has coach Gifford had an immediate and measurable impact on our teams' performance on the field, but he has also done an exceptional job off the field with his work monitoring our team's academic progress and contributing to our recruiting efforts," said Coach LePore. "The decision to elevate Coach Gifford into the role vacated by Coach Salter's departure to Walsh was an easy one for me. Coach Gifford is exactly the type of person and professional we want mentoring these young men and I couldn't be happier to have him in this role."
Gifford is entering his fourth season with the Lander men's lacrosse program. Gifford was hired in July 2021 after being a GA with the program.
A member of the coaching staff during the 2021 season as a graduate assistant, Coach Gifford was tasked with coaching the goalkeepers and orchestrating the teams' clearing game. Under Gifford's mentorship, goalkeeper Liam Mackay finished the 2022 season fourth in the NCAA in save percentage, and Lander finished second in the NCAA in clearing percentage. Additionally, Lander has finished in the top 3 in clearing percentage each of the last two seasons and led the country in caused turnovers per game in 2023.
Under Gifford's guidance in 2023, Nicholas Paige was named to the USILA Div. II All-Region South Team along with being named a PBC All-Conference First Team selection. Paige went 11-3 to help the Bearcats win their first regular season and conference tournament title.
Lander posted 11 or more wins in 2022 and 2023 with 175 or fewer goals allowed in those seasons.
A former Inside Lacrosse 1st Team All-American and USILA Academic All-American at Belmont Abbey College, Coach Gifford finished his Masters of Science in Management at Lander in July of 2022.
Between the pipes at Belmont Abbey, he helped lead the Crusaders to a pair of Conference Carolinas championships, making 383 saves and earning 26 wins in goal. During his time he earned Inside Lacrosse First-Team All-American honors and was named a USILA Academic All-American. The Delran, N.J., native also served as a team captain for the Crusaders in his final two seasons.
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