Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – After engineering the program's first-ever NCAA appearance during the 2018 season, Virginia Tech has extended the appointment of women's lacrosse head coach John Sung by another year, meaning he is committed to coaching the Hokies through the 2022-23 academic year.
"Further strengthening our commitment to Coach Sung and our women's lacrosse program was important," Director of Athletics Whit Babcock said. "Since his arrival in Blacksburg, our lacrosse program has continued to ascend on an upward trajectory. Under Coach Sung's leadership, we seek to continue that positive momentum for years to come. We are all looking forward to seeing what Coach Sung, his staff and our student-athletes can accomplish in the coming years both on and off the field."
Sung took over the lacrosse program at Tech following the conclusion of the 2016 season and has lifted the team to new heights, equaling the program's single-season wins record in 2017, his first season, with 11 and shattering the mark with 14 victories this past season. The 2018 campaign included a record five league victories and wins over four ranked opponents, including in-state rival Virginia for the first time in six seasons.
The Hokies earned their first berth in the NCAA Tournament this past May, defeating Georgetown in the First Round 13-10. Their fantastic season ended with a defeat to league for North Carolina, but not before breaking numerous records and accumulating a 14-8 record.
Under Sung's leadership, the Hokies have become extremely competitive in the nation's top conference, winning two ACC contests in 2017 and this past season, racking up five conference victories to earn the three seed at the ACC Championships where Tech won its opening game for the first time in program history.
"I am very appreciative of the commitment from Whit and the administration to me, my staff and my family," Sung said. "I think the potential here is limitless and we want to be the first team to bring a national championship home to Blacksburg."
In 2018 the Hokies produced four first team All-ACC selections (Paige Petty, Tristan McGinley, Kelly Glatthorn and Meagh Graham), two All-Region honorees (Petty and Glatthorn) and Petty was also selected as an All-American in 2018. A captain her senior year, recent graduate Glatthorn has also been invited to train with Team USA and participate in the Fall Classic and compete with the country's best.
Sung is already the Hokies' winningest coach in ACC with his seven victories in two seasons and impressive 25-win total over that time marks the most successful two-year stretch in program history.