Hampden-Sydney head lacrosse coach Ray Rostan has announced his plans to retire following the 2016 season after serving the college for over three decades. Rostan will be entering his 40th season as a collegiate coach and his 32nd as the head coach of the Tigers, where he has had an extraordinary career.

Rostan currently stands in the top ten among coaches, active and non-active, in all-time collegiate victories in all NCAA divisions, with an overall mark of 329-191, including a 289-166 record at Hampden-Sydney.

“I have so many fond and

nostalgic memories at Hampden-Sydney,” noted Rostan. “We were attracted to Hampden-Sydney by the family atmosphere. My wife Karen has served the college for the past 25 years; our son and daughter, Jason and Jamie, grew up on this campus; and Jason played for Hampden-Sydney and has been our assistant coach for the last 12 years.

Rostan is just the third lacrosse coach in the college’s history, and since he took the helm in 1985, the Tigers have won four ODAC Championships (1989, 1995, 1998, 2001), made seven NCAA Tournament appearances (1989, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003), and had 158 All-ODAC, 65 All-America, and seven USILA Scholar All-America selections. Additionally, he has been named the ODAC Coach of the Year four times, most recently in 2001, and has twice earned the Francis “Babe” Kraus Memorial Award, after being voted the National Coach of the Year by his peers.

“I have taken great pride in our Tiger program and would like to thank the many great men and families that make up Tiger Lacrosse,” he added.

“I personally want to thank President Howard and Athletic Director Richard Epperson for their tremendous support of our program and for me as a coach,” Rostan added.

“Coach Rostan is one of the greatest coaches in college lacrosse history,” commented Hampden-Sydney President, Dr. Chris Howard. “More important than his impressive win-loss record, however, is his commitment to building men of character who have gone on to serve with distinction in virtually ever profession. His selfless service, passion for the game, and complete dedication to his players, their families, and his coaches serve as the gold standard in collegiate athletics. The entire Hampden-Sydney College community thanks Coach Rostan for his exemplary service.”