FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The Methodist University Department of Athletics announced Head Men's Lacrosse Coach Zach Nedbalski as the winner of the ninth annual Thomas R. and Elizabeth E. McLean Foundation Methodist University Coach of the Year award on Wednesday afternoon.
 
Voted on by a committee of Methodist University faculty and staff, the award recognizes the top head coach at the University.
 
Nedbalski, hired to start the program in the summer of 2012, led his 2017 team to a 15-3 record and a Southeast Independent Lacrosse Conference Championship (SEILC) in just the program's fourth year of competition. The 2017 SEILC Coach of the Year, Nedbalski has posted a 35-30 record in the program's first four seasons.
 
In addition to his team's success on the field, Nedbalski has helped his team make an impact off the field as well. The men's lacrosse team has been involved with a number of charitable organizations since its inception. This past season alone, coach Nedbalski augmented the department's charitable works by having his team raise over $5,000 for the HEADstrong Foundation, the team undertook a toy drive for Toys for Tots while also serving as Salvation Army Bell Ringers during the holiday season in addition to the program's work with the Wounded Warrior Project.
 
"I'm very thankful to be honored as the McLean Foundation Coach of the Year," said Nedbalski. "I would like to thank my student-athletes and assistant coaches, Max Smerka and Jay Goldsmith, who worked extremely hard to achieve our goals this season in getting back to the SEILC championship game. I'd also like to acknowledge the support of all the other athletic teams and coaching staffs at Methodist who came out to support us this past season. That support was a big part of us going undefeated at home this year. Lastly, I'd like to thank President Dr. Ben E. Hancock Jr. and former Athletic Director Bob McEvoy for believing in me to start the men's lacrosse program at Methodist University.
 
"I want to congratulate coach Nedbalski on winning the 2016-2017 McLean Foundation Coach of the year award," said newly-appointed Vice President and Director of Athletics Dave Eavenson. "He is very deserving of this award.  Zach and our men's lacrosse team had many exceptional accomplishments on and off the field this past year. He is first class and it is a pleasure to work with him. I am excited about the future of MU Men's Lacrosse."
 
The Monarchs' 15-3 record win 2017 was far and away the program's best season in its short history. Of their three losses, one was to the eventual NCAA Division III National Champions (Salisbury) and another was a one-goal loss at the hands of a Division II institution (Pfeiffer). He had five players earn all-conference honors, including the SEILC Offensive Player of the Year and the Methodist Male Senior Athlete of the Year, Jake Smerka.
 
Nedbalski will be presented the award at the University's Fall Convocation.

McLean Foundation Coach of the Year Award Winners
2009 - Francie Barragan, women's tennis
2010 - Steve Conley, men's golf
2011 - Duane Ross, Track & Field
2012 - Tom Inczauskis, women's golf
2013 - Tom Austin, baseball
2014 - Justin Terranova, men's soccer
2015 - Steve Conley, men's golf
2016 - DeeDee Jarman, women's basketball
2017 - Zach Nedbalski, men's lacrosse