By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 10/29/10
Former Harriton coach Jeff Poake has been named the head boys’ lacrosse coach at Upper Darby.
Poake replaces Walt Udovich, who resigned after the 2010 season.
Poake was the head coach at Harriton from 2005-09 and an assistant at Cardinal O’Hara in 2010. Poake is also a coach with Black Bear Lacrosse’s Delaware County travel team.
Poake is a 1997 graduate of Springfield-Delco where he helped lead the Cougars to three state tournament appearances.
“I have always been a Central league guy since I played at Springfield and I know what the players in this league are capable of,” said Poake, who is teaching now at Beverly Hills Middle Scbhool. “Especially with the size of Upper Darby, I really think we’re capable of finishing regularly in the Top 3 or Top 5.
“My five-year goal here is to increase the overall skill level and help us to become a better contender in the Central League.”
Poake played one year at Division III Cabrini College and then played three years at Division II West Chester University where he received All-ECAC Second Team in 2000. He continues to play for Dunn Financial Lacrosse Club of the American Lacrosse League (ALL).
Udovich coached for eight years overall at Upper Darby, six as the head coach. The 2010 season was his best as the Royals went 10-9 and qualified for the District 1 playoffs for the first time since 1986.
