Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/6/16
From Press Release
Princeton University has dismissed head men’s lacrosse coach Chris Bates following a review of an incident Saturday when Bates appeared to make physical contact with a Yale player as he came off the field during an Ivy League loss at Brown.
The University gave this statement:
“Following a University review of an incident in the men’s lacrosse game at Brown on April 2, Chris Bates is no longer employed by Princeton University.
“Offensive coordinator Matt Madalon will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season and will coach his first game this Saturday against eighth-ranked Stony Brook (noon, Sherrerd Field).
“Madalon is a former Major League Lacrosse goalie and a member of the most recent Hall of Fame class at Roanoke College. Now in his third year on the Princeton staff, Madalon spent seven seasons as a coach at Stevens Tech. In his first two seasons at Princeton, the Tigers ranked among the leaders in scoring offense in Division I. A year ago, he coached Mike MacDonald, who set the school record for points in a season, and Kip Orban, who set the school record for goals in a season by a midfielder.
“Bates was in his seventh season as Princeton head coach, and he had a record of 53-42 with the Tigers. He led the team to the 2010, 2012 and 2015 Ivy League championships and to the 2010 and 2012 NCAA tournaments while coaching 16 first-team All-Ivy and 19 All-America selections.
“A national search for a permanent head coach will be held at the conclusion of the season.”
Bates had been placed on administrative leave pending a review of an incident during his team’s 19-8 Ivy league loss to Brown.
Inside Lacrosse reported that in the incident Bates appeared to put his right shoulder and collided with Brown player John Yozzo-Scaperrotta as he came off the field following a penalty with Brown leading, 7-6. Bates was several steps on the field at the time of the collision.
The game was broadcast on the Ivy League Digital Network and WatchESPN, Inside Lacrosse reporter.
Bates is a member of Dartmouth’s Class of 1990, Bates where he was an All-Ivy League attackman and midfielder. He become the 10th head coach in the history of Princeton’s men’s program, replacing the legendary Bill Tierney – who left in 2010 to become coach at Denver.
Bates led Drexel to a 70-71 record during his 10 seasons as head coach there. He was an assistant coach at Drexel for five years. Bates began his coaching career in 1992 by starting the lacrosse program at Archbishop Ryan in Philadelphia.
