FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Ted Fifield, who successfully guided Colorado State back to the MCLA National tournament and a top ten final ranking, has been named head coach of the Rams' men’s lacrosse team. After a leading CSU to a solid 10-5 season in 2016, the program is excited to welcome back Fifield.

Fifield joined CSU in the fall of 2015 as Defensive Coordinator and became the Acting Head Coach in December following the departure of previous head coach Alex Smith.

The future looks bright for Colorado State University as Fifield continues to grow into his new role

“I’m honored to return this season as the head coach of the Colorado State men’s lacrosse team,” said Fifield. “Our chief value at CSU is family. I’m proud to have the opportunity to continue growing this team into a strong and resilient group of young men who can accomplish anything together.”

Fifield becomes the third head coach of the program since the team joined the MCLA in 1997.

“Ted Fifield is an excellent coach. He stepped in during a turbulent time, grabbed the bull by the horns and really impressed everyone with his performance both on and off the field,” said CSU Alumni Association President Garrett Fitzgerald. “The CSU lacrosse program has had tremendous stability in terms of coaching.

"That stability, which is rare in the MCLA, has been a major factor in the program’s achievements. Flip Naumburg had incredible success, winning four national titles and laying the foundation for what program is today. We were lucky to have him succeeded by the talented Alex Smith, who earned two titles during his tenure and cemented CSU as a top-tier MCLA program. Now we are looking to Coach Fifield to continue the tradition established by his predecessors.”

As the storied program turns the page to a new era, CSU feels confident in the hands of Fifield as the team strives for excellence in the upcoming seasons.

“Ted Fifield is a great coach; he led us through a successful season last year, as well as a chance in the MCLA national tournament. I believe Ted has strong relationships with the players and we will succeed again this year,” said Jake Bender, president of the CSU lacrosse team,

After not qualifying for 2015 the MCLA national tournament, a first in program history, Fifield guided the Rams back to the 2016 MCLA national tournament. It was a major accomplishment considering the circumstances. Fifield now looks to continue that momentum in his second year with the program. Fifield feels confident in the team’s abilities in the upcoming 2017 season.

The program only graduated six seniors, returns the majority of their impact players, and has a promising incoming class. He will look to build on last year’s success and mold the team into a championship contender. His bonds with his players is evident and will be an asset on the recruiting trail.

“Ted has a knack for recruiting quality student-athletes who will be expected to excel in the classroom, on the lacrosse field and as representatives of the university,” said Fitzgerald.

Previously, Fifield was defensive coordinator for the University of Wisconsin-Madison men’s lacrosse team from 2012-2014. Prior to his time with the Badgers, Fifield served as the defensive coordinator for the Rock Canyon High School boy’s varsity lacrosse team from 2010-2012. Fifield attended Sacred Heart University, where he founded the men’s non-varsity lacrosse program, served as three-year captain and team president, and led the team to the quarterfinals of the 2010 NCLL Division II national championships. He attended the University of Denver for graduate school, where he earned his master’s degree in Sport & Performance Psychology in 2012.