July 15, 2009
WASHINGTON - Georgetown University Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Ricky Fried has been named the new head coach of the U.S. Women's National squad by the US Lacrosse Women's Division Board of Governors. He has been appointed to a four-year term leading up to the 2013 World Cup after a six month selection process. Last month, Fried served as an assistant coach with the national team that won the 2009 World Cup in Prague, Czech Republic.
"We are proud of Ricky Fried for his selection as head coach of the United States national team," said Dan Porterfield, Ph.D., Interim Director of Athletics. "This is a tremendous honor, reflecting the excellence of his coaching and leadership during his career at Georgetown. He will be a great representative for the sport and for Georgetown."
US Lacrosse Women's Division Director Ann Carpenetti cited Fried's commitment to the sport and proven record of success as factors in the decision.
"As the head coach at Georgetown University and as a coaching staff member of the 2009 U.S. World Cup Team, Ricky has shown that he is a proven leader and successful coach in the women's collegiate and international lacrosse world who is both respected and admired by his players and his peers. His strengths, as recognized by the selection committee included his experience in women's lacrosse, his commitment to growing the sport and desire to keep learning and teaching the game and finally, his character and integrity."
This past season, the Hoyas won the BIG EAST Regular Season Championship going 13-6 overall and 6-1 in BIG EAST play. GU advanced to the BIG EAST Tournament Championship game and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
In his five seasons on the Hilltop, Fried has amassed a record of 62-30 overall and 23-4 in BIG EAST play. Under his guidance, the Hoyas have won four BIG EAST Regular Season Championships and appeared in all three conference tournament title games that the BIG EAST has held since the tournament's inception in 2007. GU has also earned four bids into the NCAA Tournament advancing as far as the quarterfinals on two separate occasions.
He has coached 13 national All-Americans as well as the National Goalkeeper of the Year, three BIG EAST Offensive and four Defensive Players of the Year to go along with 28 BIG EAST first or second team selections. This past season he was named the BIG EAST Coach of the Year by his peers.
Prior to Georgetown, Fried was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Johns Hopkins University for nine seasons. He was an All-American midfielder at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County graduating in 1988. Fried played professionally for the Philadelphia Wings from 1989-92 and with the Baltimore Thunder for two seasons.
Fried has been active within the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association and is currently the organization's vice president. He is also the chair of the Regional All-American Committee and a member of the Tewaaraton Trophy Committee.
His first duty as the national team head coach will be to oversee the U.S. women's developmental team tryouts at UMBC, August 1-3. Fried is just the fourth coach the squad has ever had.
"I'm excited to be the new coach of the U.S. team and thankful to the board for allowing me this opportunity," said Fried. "I gained valuable international experience at this year's World Cup and I look forward to continuing to build upon our recent success. This is an exciting time for women's lacrosse and I am happy to be a part of it."
