Tatro Named Men’s Lacrosse Head Coach

Tony Tatro
Tony Tatro

 

BEREA, Ohio – Baldwin Wallace University Director of Athletics Steve Thompson has announced the hiring of Tony Tatro as the new men's lacrosse head coach. He becomes the third head coach in program history. 

Tatro, who is no stranger to BW men's lacrosse program, has served as the acting head coach for the past two months.  Prior to acting head coach, he served as an assistant coach for six seasons from 2014-16 and 2017-21.

"I am humbled and honored for the opportunity to build upon the successes of Coach Keeley and Coach Tarnow as the new head coach of the Baldwin Wallace men's lacrosse program," said Tatro. "Baldwin Wallace is home to an exceptional group of people, and I am so grateful to Athletic Director Steve Thompson, Associate Athletic Director John Snell, and the entire BW search committee for allowing me to lead the young men of our lacrosse program. I want to thank my wife, family and friends for their constant support. I look forward to the challenges ahead and I'm excited to continue our team's push towards an NCAA tournament run. I am proud to call this institution and the Yellow Jacket family my home."

"We were thrilled to have such a qualified candidate as Tony in our own department," stated Thompson.  "It's not every day that you find someone with as much passion for a program, its scholar-athletes, city and the University as you do with Tony.  We are beyond thrilled to have him continue his coaching career with the Yellow Jacket family.  Tony's commitment to this team and his experience will continue the winning ways and take us to the next level. 

During his last four seasons, Tatro served as the defensive and recruiting coordinators. He helped guide the team to a 40-14 record, the 2021 OAC regular season championship and three OAC Tournament appearances, including two championship games. Tatro has mentored 25 All-Ohio Athletic Conference selections, one All-American and one Intercollegiate Men's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IMCLA) Division III All-West Region player.  

Between his coaching stints with the Yellow Jackets, Tatro spent one season as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator for Wittenberg University. While at Wittenberg, he helped the Tigers to a 9-7 record and a 6-2 mark in the North Coast Athletic Conference and an appearance in the NCAC Tournament. Tatro coached four All-NCAC defensive players and two IMLCA All-West Region first-team selections. 

In his first term at BW, he was responsible in recruiting evaluation and all practice and game day operations. In those two seasons, the Yellow Jackets went 26-6 and made two OAC postseason appearances. The team was Co-OAC regular season champions in 2016 and was statistically ranked as the number one scoring defense in NCAA Division III for two consecutive seasons (2015-2016). 

In addition, Tatro spent four seasons as the head varsity boy's lacrosse coach at Walsh Jesuit High School where he compiled a career divisional record of 31-22. He coached the 2012 Ohio High School Lacrosse Association Goalie of the Year and was named the 2014 North Coast League Coach of the Year.

Tatro earned a bachelor's degree in communication studies from Kent State University.  Prior to Kent State, he played two seasons of lacrosse at NCAA Division II Wheeling Jesuit