Rhodes College Athletics

David Zazzaro, a two time SAA Coach of the Year and only head men's lacrosse coach in Rhodes College history, enters his thirteenth season in 2024.

In 12 years as the head coach of the Lynx, Zazzaro has compiled a record of 104-78,. Rhodes went 16-4 during the 2019 campaign, earning the most wins in program history as well as the most wins in SAA men's lacrosse history. Ten Lynx earned All-SAA honors as Alexi Thomas was named SAA Newcomer of the Year. Rhodes recorded the best home record in program history (10-1) and went on an eight-game win streak during the season. The Lynx advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the second year in a row, won their first-ever NCAA road game (IWU 22-9), earned their third consecutive SAA regular season championship and were crowned SAA Tournament Champions for the second straight year. Rhodes was ranked No. 14 in the South Region, earned their highest ever team GPA (3.21) and broke over 20 program records.

In 2018, Rhodes not only swept conference competition to win both the SAA regular and tournament titles, but the Lynx advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history where they hosted Huntingdon College in the second round before moving on the Sweet 16. Rhodes earned Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year in the SAA after going 6-0 in conference. The Lynx finished the year 14-3 overall and grabbed the first All-Region nods in program history in Ryan Fennelly and Steven Yowan.

In 2017, the Lynx captured their first SAA Regular Season Conference Title with a 7-0 record while amassing a program-record 14 wins. Additionally, in 2017 the Lynx advanced to the SAA Tournament Championship game finishing as runner ups.

In 2016, the Lynx were named statistical champions for the Man-Down Defensive Percentage and Zazzaro was named SAA Coach of the Year.

A collegiate coach of 30 years, Zazzaro became Colorado College’s sixth head coach in 2002 after a highly successful coaching experience at Colby College, where his 70-52 (.574) record in nine years still ranks him as the program’s all-time winningest lacrosse coach. In eight seasons with the Tigers, he compiled a 52-44 (.542) record.

In addition to being honored as the New England Division III Coach of the Year in 1998, Zazzaro was selected to coach in the 2001 and 2009 North-South Division III All-Star Game. During his stint at Colby, the boundaries of lacrosse success were stretched. The White Mules were nationally ranked four consecutive years, climbing as high as No. 13 in 1999. In 1998, they won the competitive NESCAC league title. In all, Colby competed in five regional post-season tournaments under Zazzaro.

Zazzaro earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Drew University in 1991, where he was a standout soccer and lacrosse player. During his senior year, he was invited to participate in the North-South Division III All-Star Game in Maryland. He began his coaching career at SUNY-Potsdam in 1991, serving as the assistant coach for the men’s soccer and lacrosse programs. Additionally, Zazzaro completed his MBA at Regis University (Denver, Co.) in 2011.,

In 2014 Zazzaro was the offensive coordinator for the Mexican National Team in the F.I.L World Championships where the team finished 23rd out of 38 attending countries. In 2010 in the Mexican National Team's first exposure to the World Championships, Mexico finished 29th in the world.

While at Colby, Colorado College, and Rhodes, Zazzaro served on the NCAA National and NCAA Regional Selection Committee and the All-America National Committee. During the summer and offseason months, Zazzaro runs lacrosse camps, tournaments, clinics throughout the country.

At Rhodes College, Zazzaro will also double as the Assistant Coordinator of Facilities.

COLBY COLLEGE (1992-2001)
        RECORD 70-52 All-Time Wins Leader at Colby
COLORADO COLLEGE (2002-2009)
        RECORD 52-44