By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 8/24/18
Former La Salle and Penn State great Jack Forster, who served as the top assistant for older brother Rob Forster in building Academy of the New Church into a prep power, has been elevated to the program’s head coach, Athletic Director Brandon Asplundh announced today.
Jack Forster served under his brother for five years. Rob Forster recently resigned to pursue a college coaching position after leading the Lions to five straight Friends Schools League championships and a 76-20 record in those five seasons. In 2018 ANC reached the semifinals of the inaugural Victory Events National Prep Championships and finished No. 9 in the Phillylacrosse.com Rankings.
Jack Forster said there will be many challenges to continue building from the success, but is happy with what’s been built.
“The foundation is already there,” he said. “Starting five years ago, with me and Rob and Eddie (DiDonato) and Randy (Forster), we had more coaches than players.
“But everyone worked hard every day and we kept growing the program. The school has been great in supporting us, the administration and parents and the kids are amazing. All the kids that come to this school and play lacrosse have been outstanding kids and that makes it so much more fun to work with them. We just get better every day and go from there.”
Forster said the transition in leadership from his brother will not be difficult.
“There is kind of change of management, but Rob and I are almost the same person,” he said. “He is probably a little more vocal than I am. But I believe in the same principles.
“We did lose a lot of good seniors (including All-American David Closterman and All-EPLCA pick Seamus Hogan), so we have some work to do.
“We have the foundation and want to keep moving (forward), but things will probably be a little different this year,” he said. “It will be a learning experience for all of us, but I have a good relationship with the players. We have some new guys coming in and some good older players. We just need to get the younger players on board and pave the path for the future this year.”
Forster said the Lions would continue to play the elite teams in the region. Last year ANC played Inter-Ac League powers Malvern Prep and Haverford School and also faced PIAA powers Manheim Township, Conestoga, Central Bucks East, Upper Dublin and Downingtown East.
“We will try and keep the same schedule and keep up with the top teams in the area,” he said. “We might not win as many games, but it’s going to be a good learning experience.
“I think (the elite schedule) brings out the best in us and even if we don’t win, it’s a great learning experience to play these teams for myself as coach and other coaches and definitely the players.”
“We are extremely lucky to have him,” said Asplundh. “He has done such an outstanding job for us as an assistant coach over the past 5 years.
“He brings a little continuity and that can go a long way. Add that to the fact he is such a great coach and we are really thrilled.”
Asplundh said it’s impressive what the Forster brothers have achieved in their five years.
“It’s really incredible what they’ve been able to do,” Asplundh said. “At ANC we have a really long and proud lacrosse tradition, but just within their five years we have accomplished a lot of firsts never seen before. I think we had never beaten Hun School and we beat them twice last year.”
Jack Forster also is co-director of Duke’s Young Guns with his brother.
At Penn State, Jack Forster overcame numerous knee injuries to become a 2013 USILA Honorable Mention All-America and First Team All-Colonial Athletic Association pick.
He finished his Penn State career – which last six seasons due to losing two years with injuries – with 104 goals (second in school history when he graduated) and 148 points.
Forster was a four-year starter at La Salle, where he earned all-Catholic League recognition each year. He was a three-time all-EPLSA selection and earned All-America honors as both a junior and senior. He helped guide the Explorers to three straight league titles (2005-07) and a 78-7 record.
