By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 2/22/22
Sean Evans, served as an assistant boys’ lacrosse coach at Henderson for 11 years and graduated from the program as an All-American and a league champion, has been named the replacement for legendary coach Paul Stankewicz.
The hiring is pending approval at next Monday’s West Chester Area School District Board of Directors meeting.
Evans not only has the task of replacing a revered coach who spent 53 years at Henderson (39 as head coach), but he also looks to rebuild a squad that struggled through a 3-9 league season in 2021.
“I think we will start small and build,” said Evans. “We have a nice group of kids this year, some good senior leadership and some nice underclass talent. I have been working with the boys for a couple weeks and we’re all excited.
“The goal this year is just to be competitive and have a winning record, to make the playoffs and get a couple extra games. We want to get better each and every day and work hard.”
Evans said he had the perfect role model in Stankewicz (see full story on Paul Stankewicz’s recent retirement).
“Coach Stank is a phenomenal man and a hard worker who never stopped coaching and never stopped scouting,” said Evans. “The way he worked with his players and coaching staff was second to none. He always put everyone else first.
“He wanted everyone to to have the greatest experience and to reach their potential and have the highest success. He was always there for you. He always had your back and he still will.
Evans, a 2006 Henderson grad who also is a coach with the Duke’s Lacrosse Club, starred at Towson University and then at St. Joseph’s University where he was a co-captain and team MVP in 2009-10.
At Henderson, he was a two-time captain, a two-time All-Eastern PA Lacrosse Scholastic Association pick and a US Lacrosse All-American at attack. Evans led Henderson’s to a share of the 2006 Suburban League championship.
Evans also was a 4-time all-league pick at Henderson and a three-time first-team league selection who collected 326 career points (184 goals, 142 assists) and became the top point scorer in program history. He also was a 4-year varsity letter-winner in wrestling and was captain of the team in 2005-06.
Evans has seen his lacrosse career come full circle at Henderson. He remembers being a ball boy as a kid, then helping the Warriors win a share of their last league title as a star under Stankewicz. Then he coached under Stankewicz for over a decade. Now, he can recruit some of his own players in his position as a Special Education teacher at Pierce Middle School, a Henderson feeder.
“I learned a ton from coach,” Evans said of Stankewicz. “I can’t thank him enough. I will definitely do a lot of things that coach taught me, but I will also bring in some of my workouts and practices so I can combine a little of both.
“I’m grateful for the people here and for the chance to give back to the place that’s given me so much.”
