Dear UMD Men’s Lacrosse Family,

It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter to you. As of the conclusion of our fall practice on Saturday October 22nd, I have stepped down as Head Coach of the UMD Men’s Lacrosse program. 

When I first joined this team a list of priorities were outlined each year at the beginning of the season: family (faith), school, lacrosse and everything else. I have lived my life by those priorities, replacing school with owning and operating a business. Both my family and my business have continued to grow. That's the good news. With that in mind, I realized that I have been unable to give the amount of time and energy that this program deserves. As I told the team, if I could add 2-3 more hours to every day, I know exactly how I would spend those hours. It would be for them and with them. This program has not only been a part of my life, it has also been a large piece of my identity for the past 16 years. 

It's over 16 years ago that I began this journey as a young eager freshman at UMD looking to continue playing sports after high school. I had never played the game of lacrosse and had only watched it a handful of times prior to my first practice. It looked like fun, so I tried out and successfully became a member of the UMD Men's Lacrosse team. Instantly upon joining the team, I was accepted as part of the family. Our freshman class bonded and the upperclassmen watched over us and acted as mentors to us all as we started our college careers. Within a few short years, I was the upperclassman doing the same for the new freshmen joining the team. As I concluded my playing career I was given an opportunity to help coach the goalies and defense. Shortly thereafter, I moved into serving as a defensive coordinator, later becoming the assistant head coach and then being honored to serve as the head coach. It has been an absolute pleasure and honor to work with the players, coaches, parents and alumni throughout the past 12 years as we continue to pave our path to success. 

Many have asked over the course of time as to why one would volunteer so much time and energy to something. My simple two part response is, I love this program and team membership equates to building life skills that go much deeper than playing lacrosse alone. I have appreciated watching the individual team members grow into adults through dedication and grit. When the going gets tough, they get tougher. When they fall, they get back up all the while having the support from the lacrosse team - the family. To watch a young eager freshman grow into an extraordinary senior and then onto become a contributing member of society has always been incredibly fulfilling for me as a coach. It has been an amazing experience to watch first hand as this team and program have grown from a regionally dominant program to a nationally respected program that has reached the MCLA National Tournament 13 of the past 16 years. I expect the same to continue as the coaching staff and team prepare for the season ahead. The team and staff are well aware that I will help in any way, shape or form that is possible as this transition continues moving forward. 

As I write this today, I look back at the positive impact this program and the UMD Men’s Lacrosse Family has had on my life. The entire experience has significantly and positively shaped me into the person I am today. Many of the values and my work ethic that I live by were ingrained in me through this program. Many of my closest friends are those I met throughout my time with this program, both playing and coaching. I will always cherish the friendships, relationships and memories. I will forever be grateful for having had the opportunity to lead UMD Men's Lacrosse. 

Thank you to the entire UMD Men’s Lacrosse Family,

Tips Up,

Sam Litman