PITTSBURGH, Pa. – JULY 6th, 2020 – Phil Dodson, the first-ever head men's lacrosse coach at Chatham University, has accepted a head coaching position at Division III Lake Forest College. A nationwide search for the position is now underway.
 
"We want to thank Phil for everything he has done for the program. I wish him the best of luck as he heads back to his hometown," said Leonard Trevino. "He got us off to an exciting and strong start, and leaves the program in the position where I believe we will attract a strong, diverse applicant pool for the head coach position." 
 
Dodson was in his third season with the Cougars, leading the team to a 19-19 record overall, including a first-ever playoff berth in the 2019 season upon joining the PAC.
 
At the start of the program in the 2018 season under Dodson, the Cougars competed in the Ohio River Lacrosse Conference (ORLC). That year, Alec Vissotski was named to the All-ORLC First Team and earned ORLC Newcomer of the Year accolades. Two Cougars were named to the Second Team, with three additional Cougars being named Honorable Mentions.
 
Upon moving to the PAC at the start of the 2019 season, Dodson led three players to All-PAC First Team designations with three Second Team honorees and three Honorable Mentions respectively.
 
Under Dodson, numerous Cougars earned weekly conference awards and academic honor roll status. The team finished the Spring 2020 semester with a GPA of 3.11, placing 14 student-athletes on the University's Dean's List. Though the 2020 season came to an early conclusion due to COVID-19, Dodson led the team to impressive wins over Mount Union, Lebanon Valley, and Marietta.
 
"I'd like to thank Leonard Trevino for giving me this opportunity, President Finegold for supporting the program, and Dr. Giles for his role as a mentor," said Dodson. "I'm grateful to have been a part of building this program. These young men have proved their dedication and I am excited to watch them take the program to new heights."