Boys lacrosse: Gaeger to lead St. Viator program
Recently appointed St. Viator athletic director Jason Kuffel has announced the appointment of Patrick Gaeger as the school's next boys lacrosse head coach.
Gaeger, a 2008 St. Viator graduate, joined the staff as Assistant Director of Enrollment. He returned to his alma mater from Saint Laurence High School in Chicago, where he had served as head coach of the lacrosse team.
"We are extremely fortunate to have a coach who helped build our young but successful tradition of success in lacrosse as a player, join us as our coach," said Kuffel.
In addition to his stint as head coach at Saint Laurence, Gaeger was associate head coach at Robert Morris University and has been involved in the sport at the club level. After a stellar career at Saint Viator, Gaeger played collegiately at Adrian College. He replaces Bill Sanford who finished his head coaching career as third all-time in wins for Illinois Lacrosse along with being named a four-time East Suburban Catholic Conference coach of the year and the 2011 IHSLA coach of the year.
"We fully expect that the standards established by Coach Sanford will continue under the stewardship of Patrick Gaeger," said Kuffel. "We continue to raise the bar on expectations for our student athletes not only in the field of play, but in the classroom and in the community. Our athletics program stands firmly on our pillars of academic success and faith formation for young men and women, and as a graduate and employee of St. Viator, Coach Gaeger is well-equipped to meet and exceed our expectations."
In addition to his work in the Enrollment Department, Gaeger is also working as an assistant coach during the football season.
"I am honored and humbled by this opportunity, and welcome the challenge of upholding the standards established at St. Viator," Gaeger said. "I look forward to getting to know our athletes and their families, and pursuing excellence in all we do in the lacrosse program."
Last season the team finished with an overall record of 16-5, bowing out of the IHSA state playoffs at the hands of the powerful New Trier program.