Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Athletics

TROY, N.Y. - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) acting director of athletics Kevin Beattie has announced the hiring of Greg Havalchak as men's lacrosse assistant coach. A former standout at Rutgers University, he will aide head coach Jim Townsend.

"I am very excited to have Greg join the RPI lacrosse family," said Townsend. "His playing experience at Rutgers and in the Major League Lacrosse will definitely help our program, especially our young group of goalies. I have known 'Hondo' a long time and I'm looking forward to working with him the next couple of years."

"I was very pleased when Coach Townsend approached me about the opening this past summer," said Havalchak. "He is an established head coach and I know I will gain a great deal of knowledge from him. Knowing Jim for the past few years makes the transition even smoother and I look forward to being part of a great tradition here at RPI."

A native of Corning, N.Y., Havalchak was a four-year standout at Rutgers, backstopping the Scarlet Knights to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2003 & 2004. He finished his collegiate career ranked second in school history with 663 saves. Playing 55 games, Havalchak had a 7.91 goals against average with a .600 save percentage.

A three-time National All-American, Havalchak was the ECAC Defensive Player of the Year as a freshman and sophomore, and was also named Rookie of the Year by the ECAC. He participated in the prestigious North/South All-Star game as a senior, was an ECAC All-Star selection twice, and the team's Most Valuable Player three times.

Havalchak graduated from Rutgers in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.

Following college, Havalchak went on to play for the Baltimore Bayhawks of the MLL. Drafted in the fourth round (32nd overall), he started nine of 12 games for the Bayhawks in 2006, leading the team's goalies in minutes played (356:40), goals against average (15.31) and save percentage (.500). He then played for the Boston Cannons in 2007 before being traded to the Rochester Rattlers in July.

TRANSACTION – RPI: Named Greg Havalchak assistant men's lacrosse coach.