FARMINGTON – University of Maine at Farmington Director of Athletics, Fitness and Recreation Julie Davis is pleased to announce the hiring of Jon Evan as the Beavers’ men’s lacrosse/soccer head coach.
“We are excited to welcome Jon to our staff to lead our men’s soccer and lacrosse programs,” said Davis. “He brings us a variety of experiences from competitive collegiate and club programs. Additionally, he’ll be able to apply his background as a physical educator, with specialized training in Exercise Science. Jon has that essential balance of teaching and coaching we strive for in our coaches.The rosters and recruiting for both teams are in good shape due to the work of interim coach Jon Hayes ’97. Coaches Evan and Hayes will work together create as seamless a transition as possible. I’m confident they will maintain momentum with both programs as we move forward.”
Evan takes over the men’s lacrosse and men’s soccer programs from Chris Parsons, who resigned in February after two-and-a-half years at UMF. The position to officially begins in August.
“I’m very excited,” said Evan. “I’m just happy to have the opportunity as a head coach at the University of Maine at Farmington. I want to thank University president Theo Kalikow, Director of Athletics Julie Davis and the search committee for putting faith in my ability to lead the UMF men’s soccer and lacrosse programs.”
Since 2003, Evan has served as an assistant coach in collegiate men’s soccer, most recently at Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla. This past fall, Rollins reached the NCAA Division II National Championship Game. He also assisted and trained goalkeepers at Midwestern State University in Laredo, Texas, for in 2008-2009 where he helped the Mustangs to a pair of NCAA Division II Tournament appearances.
Under the guidance of Hayes, the second-year UMF men’s lacrosse team recently finished its regular season with a 4-6 record (2-5 in the North Atlantic Conference) and the program’s first berth into the NAC Tournament. The fifth-seeded Beavers are scheduled to face No. 4 Thomas College Saturday at 1 p.m.
“It’s a great opportunity to be a part of the foundation for building a men’s lacrosse program,” said Evan. “Jon Hayes has been great and congratulations to him and the guys for their efforts this season.”
The UMF men’s soccer team closed out the 2010 campaign with an 8-6-4 mark (4-2-1 in the NAC). The Beavers, who will lose just three seniors, placed third in the conference and reached the NAC Semifinals.
“It’s a chance to lead a young, but seasoned group of guys,” said Evan. “UMF men’s soccer is rich in tradition and history. I hope we can add to those significant successes in the past.
Evan played men’s soccer on two NCAA Division II Final Four teams at Southern Connecticut State University and professionally in the United Soccer League for the Jacksonville Cyclones and Cocoa Expos.
A nationally certified personal trainer/nutrition counselor, Evan earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Jacksonville (Fla.) University and is completing a master’s in kinesiology from Midwestern State.
Evan plans to reside in Farmington with his wife, Vanessa, and two children.
“I want to thank my foundation at Southern Connecticut, Doug Elder and Midwestern State and my wife for their support and believing in me,” said Evan.
