The newest member of Colgate head coach Mike Murphy’s staff is Stephen Toomy, who joined the Raiders as an assistant coach in October 2013.
Toomy arrived from North Carolina, where he spent two seasons as director of men’s lacrosse operations under head coach Joe Breschi. Prior to that, Toomy served two years as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at his alma mater, Western New England College in Springfield, Mass.
Toomy coordinates the Raiders defense, from 6-on-6 to the man-down unit. Individually, Toomy will works alongside Murphy and volunteer coach Matt Abbott to manage the close defensemen and defensive midfielders, while paying special attention to the goalkeepers.
That was an important aspect of the Colgate success in 2014, as first-year goalkeeper Brandon Burke was named Patriot League Rookie of the Year. Burke turned in an 8.81 goals-against average that was fifth in the conference and 13th nationally. He added a .524 save percentage that was seventh in the Patriot League.
Burke also picked up the team’s Rookie of the Year Award after playing in the Colgate goal for all but 20 minutes and 5 seconds over the course of the 2014 season. Thanks to Toomy’s tutelage, Burke twice was named Patriot League Rookie of the Week.
While at Western New England, Toomy assisted with the Golden Bears defense and goalkeepers. In 2011, he coached goalkeeper Brewster Knowlton to ECAC Defensive Player of the Year honors and USILA All-America honorable mention status.
Toomy is a 2009 Western New England graduate, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. He lettered four years on defense for the Golden Bears and three times was named All-Commonwealth Coast Conference second team.
What others are saying about Stephen Toomy
North Carolina head coach Joe Breschi: “Steve Toomy (was) a tremendous asset to the UNC lacrosse program as the director of operations. His goal has always been to coach. I’m thrilled and excited for Steve's latest opportunity with Coach Murphy and the Colgate men's lacrosse program. He's earned it and will be a tremendous contributor to their program from day one.”
Western New England head coach John Klepacki: “I’m very proud about the effort Stephen has put in to be able to move up the profession. It’s been great to watch him develop over the past five years. He’s taken the desire he had as a player and transferred it into his profession as a coach.
“He’s such a go-getter in trying to improve staffs and, ultimately, have teams play at a really high level. Every player that has had Steve coach them knows that he’s gone to bat for them in every aspect he can in a relentless pursuit to get better.”
