SELINSGROVE, PA – Susquehanna University has named Ryan Gast head men’s lacrosse coach, director of athletics Pam Samuelson announced Monday.

Gast, a native of Orchard Park, N.Y., comes to Susquehanna after serving as an assistant coach at Medaille College for the past two seasons. He succeeds Gordon Galloway, who resigned in May after two seasons as head coach of the Crusaders.

A 2002 graduate of Mercyhurst College with a bachelor’s degree in art education, Gast played midfield for the Lakers for three years after beginning his college career at Nazareth College. After graduating, Gast worked with the England Under-19 national team while serving as a local development officer in Manchester, United Kingdom during 2002-03.

After serving a year as head junior varsity coach at Canisius High School in Buffalo, Gast moved to Medaille while pursuing a master’s degree in special education.

“Our men’s lacrosse program has made great strides over the past few years, and Ryan is the perfect choice to lead it to the next level,” said Samuelson. “He is a natural teacher and is more than ready to take on the challenge of running a college program.”

Since 2004, Gast has served as a substitute teacher in both the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union and Amherst Central School Districts. In the summer of 2002, Gast interned at the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a radio and National Crime Information Computer machine operator.