Casey D’Annolfo was named Division III National Men’s Lacrosse Coach of the Year.

Sports reporting is sponsored by Keating Agency Insurance

By Ronni Newton

In late May, Casey D’Annolfo led the Tufts University men’s lacrosse team to the Division III NCAA National Championship, beating RIT in a high-scoring final game, 18-14.

Casey D’Annolfo. Courtesy photo

Following their championship win, the Tufts’ lacrosse coaching staff, led by D’Annolfo, was named the National Coaching Staff of the Year for 2024. Now, the West Hartford native has been recognized with the top honor and has been named the 2024 D3 National Men’s Lacrosse Coach of the Year by the U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association.

D’Annolfo grew up West Hartford, in an extremely athletic family. His father is the late legendary Conard coach, Frank D’Annolfo, and his mother, Suzi D’Annolfo, is one of the founders of Conard and Hall girls’ sports and also a former coach and the high school athletic director.

Casey brings home the National Championship trophy to share with his dad, Coach Frank D’Annolfo. Courtesy photo

Casey D’Annolfo graduated from Coanrd in 2001, where he played and captained three teams – football, basketball, and lacrosse. He continued all three sports in a PG year at Exeter, before heading to Tufts where he also played all three sports.

He began coaching at his alma mater in 2016, and has now completed eight seasons coaching at Tufts where he has posted an incredible 0.871 winning percentage with a record of 122-18. His record is the third-highest all-time winning percentage in Division III mens lacrosse, and he has previously been recognized as the NESCAC Coach of the Year as well as Region I (New England/Mid Atlantic) Coach of the Year.

Frank D’Annolfo was unable to make the trip, but was able to watch Casey coach the Tufts team to the National Championship. Courtesy photo

While 2024 was D’Annolfo’s first National Championship win, it wasn’t his first time reaching the Final Four. His 2021, 2022, and 2023 teams also reached the Final Four, and in 2023 played for the championship, losing to Salisbury in the final.

Under D’Annolfo’s leadership, the Jumbos have won five NESCAC championships, and team members have earned National Player of the Year honors (2023), National Face-Off Player of the Year honors (2023), and he has also produced numerous All-Americans and Scholar All Americans.

D’Annolfo and his wife, Sarah, and their three children (Oliver, Georgia, and Rory) live in Andover, MA. Prior to beginning his coaching career at Tufts, he taught English at the Taft School (2007-16) and was also head lacrosse coach and and offensive coordinator for the football team.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.