Minnesota Lacrosse Names Mike Simpson Head Coach

October 18, 2004 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Minnesota Swarm News Release


SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Minnesota Lacrosse General Manager Marty O'Neill announced today that the National Lacrosse League (NLL) club has agreed to terms on a multi-year contract with Mike Simpson to become the club's first-ever head coach.

"Naming Mike our head coach is the first step toward ensuring an exciting young team for our fans," said O'Neill.

Simpson, 36 (1/31/68), most recently served as a scout for the NLL's Anaheim Storm last year. Prior to his role with Anaheim, he spent four years as a coach for the Victoria Shamrocks of the British Columbia Junior A Lacrosse League. Simpson served as head coach for three seasons (2001-03) following one season as an assistant coach (2000). Victoria posted a record of 68-24-1 (.736) during his four seasons with the club. In 2003, the Shamrocks won the league championship for the first time since 1989. In addition, Simpson ran lacrosse clinics in his hometown of Victoria from 1998 – 2002.

The Victoria, British Columbia-native played 14 seasons as a forward with the Victoria Shamrocks. Simpson spent five years with the Shamrocks Junior A club and nine seasons with the Senior A team. During his career he appeared in four Minto Cups and two Mann Cups. He captured one Minto Cup Championship (1988) with the Shamrocks and one Canadian Field Lacrosse Championship (1989) with the Victoria Royal Waxman. Simpson also served as Victoria's captain for four years before retiring after capturing the Mann Cup in 1997.

He and his wife, Tracey, have three children, including two sons Fraser and Jesse, and one daughter, Ashley. The family resides in Victoria, British Columbia, where Simpson is a firefighter.

The Minnesota Lacrosse team will build its roster via an Expansion Draft, the 2004 NLL Entry Draft and the signing of free agents. The Expansion Draft will be held on Tuesday, October 19 at 1:00 PM. The 2004 NLL Entry Draft will be held on Tuesday, October 26 at 7:00 PM. Both drafts will be conducted via telephone conference call. Media wishing to do an interview regarding the Minnesota Lacrosse team and the upcoming Expansion and Entry Drafts should contact Aaron Sickman at (651) 602-6009.

Minnesota Lacrosse season ticket deposits are being accepted now at WWW.LACROSSEMN.COM, the Xcel Energy Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets or charge by phone at (651) 989-5151. A $25.00 per seat deposit guarantees your priority for Minnesota Lacrosse season tickets. Lower level eight-game season ticket packages start at $80.00. For more information on becoming a Minnesota Lacrosse season ticket holder please call (651) 222-9453.

Simpson will begin his new role immediately. As per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.



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