Drexel University Athletics
Photo by: Greg Carroccio/Sideline Photos
Drexel Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach Brian Voelker Announces Retirement
7/28/2024 7:39:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
PHILADELPHIA – Drexel University Head Men's Lacrosse Coach Brian Voelker has announced his retirement from college coaching. Voelker led the Drexel lacrosse program for the last 15 seasons.
"We'd like to thank Brian Voelker for his dedication to Drexel University for more than a decade," said Maisha Kelly, Drexel's Director of Athletics. "He was a driving force in the elevation of Drexel Men's Lacrosse, having led the program to a pair of CAA Championships and multiple appearances in the CAA postseason tournament. His presence around the department will surely be missed. He has impacted hundreds of student-athletes during his time at Drexel. We wish him and his family nothing but the best going forward and appreciate all that he has done for Drexel."
"After some serious discussions with my wife, I have decided to step down," said Voelker. "It's been a pleasure to be the lacrosse coach at Drexel, but I think it's time for a new chapter in my life. I'm proud of all we've accomplished in the 15 years I've been here, and I'm honored to have been a part of a lot of great young men's lives. I want to thank Dr. Zillmer for hiring and supporting me in his time as Athletic Director, and to Maisha Kelly for her support the last few years. A special thanks to Nick Gannon for connecting me with this opportunity, and for his consistent effort to help me and our program. Drexel has been a great place to work, and I want to thank everyone in the department for their support and friendship. I know I'm going to miss the interactions with the players, coaches, parents, and alumni but I promise I'll be at games and cheering hard for the Dragons."
Voelker is the second-winningest coach in program history compiling a career record of 114-98. During his tenure, the Dragons won two CAA Championships and made four appearances in the CAA title game. Drexel advanced to 12 of 14 CAA tournaments during Voelker's tenure, the most of any CAA school during that time, and won 10 or more games four times.
Voelker coached 11 All-Americans and had two of his student-athletes named the CAA Player of the Year. He also had two named the CAA Defensive Player of the Year and another the Offensive Player of the Year.
Voelker arrived at Drexel in 2010 and the Dragons won 10 games in his first season. Four of those wins came against top 10 teams, including an overtime win against Notre Dame. Four years later, Voelker led Drexel to its first ever CAA Championship and an NCAA Quarterfinal appearance. Drexel tied a school record with 13 victories including wins over four ranked opponents during the regular season. The Dragons then defeated the fourth-seeded and ninth-ranked Penn Quakers at Franklin Field to advance to the NCAA Quarterfinals.
Voelker also led Drexel to the 2021 CAA Championship. The Dragons finished with a 10-3 record and rattled off nine straight wins, including convincing victories in the CAA Semifinals against UMass and in the title game at Hofstra. That earned Voelker a CAA Coach of the Year award.
Drexel Assistant Coach Steve Boyle has been named interim head coach. A search is underway for a new head coach.
"We'd like to thank Brian Voelker for his dedication to Drexel University for more than a decade," said Maisha Kelly, Drexel's Director of Athletics. "He was a driving force in the elevation of Drexel Men's Lacrosse, having led the program to a pair of CAA Championships and multiple appearances in the CAA postseason tournament. His presence around the department will surely be missed. He has impacted hundreds of student-athletes during his time at Drexel. We wish him and his family nothing but the best going forward and appreciate all that he has done for Drexel."
"After some serious discussions with my wife, I have decided to step down," said Voelker. "It's been a pleasure to be the lacrosse coach at Drexel, but I think it's time for a new chapter in my life. I'm proud of all we've accomplished in the 15 years I've been here, and I'm honored to have been a part of a lot of great young men's lives. I want to thank Dr. Zillmer for hiring and supporting me in his time as Athletic Director, and to Maisha Kelly for her support the last few years. A special thanks to Nick Gannon for connecting me with this opportunity, and for his consistent effort to help me and our program. Drexel has been a great place to work, and I want to thank everyone in the department for their support and friendship. I know I'm going to miss the interactions with the players, coaches, parents, and alumni but I promise I'll be at games and cheering hard for the Dragons."
Voelker is the second-winningest coach in program history compiling a career record of 114-98. During his tenure, the Dragons won two CAA Championships and made four appearances in the CAA title game. Drexel advanced to 12 of 14 CAA tournaments during Voelker's tenure, the most of any CAA school during that time, and won 10 or more games four times.
Voelker coached 11 All-Americans and had two of his student-athletes named the CAA Player of the Year. He also had two named the CAA Defensive Player of the Year and another the Offensive Player of the Year.
Voelker arrived at Drexel in 2010 and the Dragons won 10 games in his first season. Four of those wins came against top 10 teams, including an overtime win against Notre Dame. Four years later, Voelker led Drexel to its first ever CAA Championship and an NCAA Quarterfinal appearance. Drexel tied a school record with 13 victories including wins over four ranked opponents during the regular season. The Dragons then defeated the fourth-seeded and ninth-ranked Penn Quakers at Franklin Field to advance to the NCAA Quarterfinals.
Voelker also led Drexel to the 2021 CAA Championship. The Dragons finished with a 10-3 record and rattled off nine straight wins, including convincing victories in the CAA Semifinals against UMass and in the title game at Hofstra. That earned Voelker a CAA Coach of the Year award.
Drexel Assistant Coach Steve Boyle has been named interim head coach. A search is underway for a new head coach.
Drexel's Autocomplete With Men's Lacrosse Coach Steven Boyle
Tuesday, March 18
Drexel Sports Medicine Feature
Wednesday, January 10
Game Plans - Presented by The Study - Men's Lacrosse Coach Brian Voelker
Friday, September 30
Game Plans: Brian Voelker - Presented by The Study
Thursday, September 29