Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 6/29/19
From Press Release
Malvern Prep graduate Ryan Polley has signed a multi-year contract extension to remain as head coach of the Boston University men’s lacrosse team, director of athletics Drew Marrochello announced on Thursday.
Polley has been at the helm of the BU men’s lacrosse program since its inception. In six seasons, Polley has guided the Terriers to 47 wins and three consecutive Patriot League semifinal appearances, including this past season when the Terriers finished with an 11-6 record. For his efforts, Polley was named New England Division I Coach of the Year for the second time in three years.
Under Polley’s guidance in 2019, the Terriers boasted a top-12 scoring defense and a top-20 scoring offense in the country. BU finished the year ranked first in the NCAA in caused turnovers per game (11.71), fifth in the nation in ground balls per game (38.06) and fifth among schools that played full Division I schedules in opponents’ clearing percentage (.748), a testament to the hard-working culture that Polley has established.
“In just six years, Ryan has built our program to be a perennial contender for a Patriot League title,” Marrochello said. “Thanks to his leadership, our student-athletes develop into terrific players who are assets to the university and local community, and more importantly, are outstanding young men who go on to great success upon graduation. I am ecstatic that he will continue to lead and build our premier men’s lacrosse program.”
Named Patriot League Coach of the Year in 2017, Polley has mentored 17 All-Patriot League selections, including a program-record four first-team honorees in 2019. Three Terriers have earned All-America accolades and six different players have been drafted by Major League Lacrosse teams over the last three years, with four of those alumni having made their MLL debut.
“I want to thank President Robert Brown and Drew Marrochello for the tremendous support they have given me during my time at Boston University,” Polley said. “It’s been a great honor to lead this program from day one and I’m thrilled for the opportunity to continue working at this world-class institution. I’m proud of all that we have accomplished in our first six seasons and look forward to reaching even greater heights in the coming years.”
“I also want to thank all of the coaches, support staff and student-athletes that have worked tirelessly to help build this program into what it is today,” Polley added. “Their immeasurable effort and sacrifice has been instrumental in our success. In addition, I’m grateful to our alumni, parents and Friends of Men’s Lacrosse for their dedication to this family we have built at BU.”
Not only has Polley influenced the Terriers on the field, but his program has performed exceptionally in the classroom. Six men’s lacrosse athletes have received the University’s Scarlet Key Award, one of the most prestigious awards that the University can bestow upon someone. Polley has coached two USILA Scholar All-Americans, five Academic All-Patriot League selections and 72 Patriot League Academic Honor Roll nominees.
His team has also served as leaders in the community through their continued work with organizations such as the One Love Foundation, Harlem Lacrosse, Team IMPACT and Bike to the Beach, the latter of which has been the most successful fundraiser in BU Athletics history in terms of money raised. Polley’s athletes have raised over $112,000 for autism research in just four years.
An All-American and a two-time All-Northeast-10 selection at Merrimack, Polley was a three-sport athlete for the Warriors, as he also played football and basketball in North Andover before focusing on lacrosse. He served as captain of the lacrosse team for three seasons and was a two-year captain in football as the squad’s starting quarterback. A native of Downingtown, Pa., Polley attended Malvern Prep (Class of 1995) and was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame (in 1991).
Polley was a captain of the ’94 Inter-Ac championship football squad at Malvern. Polley earned the honor of being named to the all-decade team by the Daily News and was named first team all-city and all-Inter-Ac.
Polley also wore the silver-and-blue in lacrosse and basketball, where he was named All-Inter-Ac in 1994 and 1995, and was a member of the 1995 Inter-Ac championship basketball team.