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Santa Clara Names New Head Coach

Published: Jul 11, 2024

General News
Western Collegiate Lacrosse League
Santa Clara Broncos

SANTA CLARA, CA - The Santa Clara University Men’s Lacrosse program announced today the hiring of Manny Rapkin as their next head coach.

“Rapkin brings both an extensive lacrosse coaching resume and an extreme level of enthusiasm to re-invigorate the Bronco lacrosse program. I cannot wait for him to get started,” said Gary Podesta former head coach and current program advisor.

Rapkin expressed his enthusiasm about coming to Santa Clara, “Thank you to Gary Podesta, Kathryn Hutchings and the search committee members for bringing me aboard. I have profound respect for the university, current team members and alumni. Everything is in place for a successful future and I am anxious to get to work and get this team ready to perform on game day."

Manny returns to the MCLA after successful NCAA positions at Vassar College and Southern New Hampshire University. He was the volunteer defensive assistant at Vassar in 2020 and the first assistant/defensive coordinator at SNHU for the 2022/2023 seasons.

Prior to that, Rapkin spent ten years at Grand Canyon University, first as an assistant for the NCAA team in 2010-2011 and then the head coach of the MCLA team from 2011-2019. He holds numerous coaching achievements including two MCLA Division I National Championships ('15 and '17), three MCLA Final Four appearances, and five SLC Conference championships. He has coached 40 All-American and All-Conference recipients and 2 current National Lacrosse League players.

Manny played NCAA Division I lacrosse and football at Siena College in New York and later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business (concentration in International Finance) from the University of Miami. In 2006, he began his coaching career as the Assistant Coach/Offensive Coordinator at Dominican College in New York and served as their Head Coach from 2008-2010.

Rapkin is a proven recruiter and looks forward to bringing many talented student athletes to Santa Clara. He has already begun prepping for the 2025 season and his return to MCLA lacrosse competition.