Lazaro Fernandez joined Head Coach Nicci Hays Fort and the women’s basketball staff in 2013.
Fernandez coached in the same athletics department as Hays Fort at Division II Barry in the Miami area. Hays Fort served from 2002-06 as women’s head coach, while Fernandez was a men’s assistant for the Buccaneers from 2002-04.
“Laz has been coaching for more than 10 years at many different levels,” Hays Fort said. “His experience as a head coach and in his many other roles will provide great insight to our program.
“Laz truly embraces being able to recruit and coach the quality of student-athlete we are able to attract to Colgate. His relentless work ethic will aid in the positive direction of Colgate Women’s Basketball.”
Fernandez comes to the Raiders after five years of coaching in the Florida high school ranks, the last three as women’s basketball head coach at Florida Christian School. The Miami school promoted him to assistant athletics director in October 2012. From 2006-10, Fernandez also served as athletics director at three additional schools: The Hebrew Academy in Miami Beach, Hollywood Christian School and Miami Christian School. He was boys basketball head coach at The Hebrew Academy and Miami Christian.
During his five seasons of coaching, Fernandez posted a career record of 106-52 that included four FHSAA state tournament appearances. He was named 2010-11 Class 4A-1A Girls Basketball Coach of the Year by both the Miami Herald and Miami Hispanic Coaches Association.
After his two-year stint at Barry and before moving to the high school ranks, Fernandez spent two seasons at the University of Miami as video coordinator and one as the program’s director of women’s basketball operations. The first season was on the staff of head coach Fern Labati, with the second under Katie Meier.
The Miami native earned his sport management undergraduate degree in 2002 from Taylor University in Indiana, completed his master’s in sport management at Barry in 2004, and currently is in the dissertation stage for his doctorate in higher education administration.
“It is a privilege to come and work for one of the most respected people in collegiate women’s basketball,” Fernandez said. “Coach Hays Fort is a competitor in every aspect of life. Because of her mindset, we are and will be successful.
“The fact that it is here at Colgate University, one of the best college settings in the country, is a blessing.”
Fernandez and his wife, the former Maria Jimenez of Managua, Nicaragua, are the parents of one daughter, Gabriella.
