ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Eastern University Athletic Director Eric McNelley announced that Colin Piper will lead Eastern University Men's Lacrosse. Piper, who has served as a full-time assistant in the program for the last two years and who worked as a graduate assistant in 2021, will look to build on a strong foundation left by outgoing Head Coach Kevin Wallace. He will be the sixth head coach in program history.

"We are excited to announce the elevation of current assistant coach and EU Men's Lacrosse alum Colin Piper, to Interim Head Coach," McNelley said. "We are confident in his vision for the program and look forward to helping him implement the next version of Eastern Men's Lacrosse. It was important to our search committee to find a leader who is deeply rooted in his Faith, aligned with our mission as an institution, and has a strong understanding of what it means to play for Eastern Men's Lacrosse. It became very clear that Colin Piper is that person."

Following in Wallace's footsteps, Piper will begin as interim head coach. Wallace, who won 134 games in his twelve years, began as an interim in 2012. His teams won six MAC Freedom Championships.

Piper, from Manchester, Md., came to Eastern as a first-year student in 2016. After waiting his turn for two years, he emerged as a primary initiator on the Eastern attack in 2019. He scored 29 goals and added 27 assists in that season. The following year, he was off to a good start when COVID shut down the entire NCAA Lacrosse schedule. Rather than using the extra COVID year, he decided to start his coaching career on the Eastern staff.

He emerged as the program's offensive coordinator in 2022, and the Eagles have, in each season, produced  on offense. This year, Nicholas Fanelli recorded the first 100-point season in program history, and the Eagles averaged nearly 20 goals per game in league play.

With Wallace announcing his transition in February, Piper has taken on increased responsibility in team management, alumni relations, and recruiting. In addition to working with this year's committed group, he is actively recruiting his 2024 class and building recruiting pools for future classes. He is also working to build his staff.

"I want to thank Kevin Wallace for giving me an opportunity to be at Eastern," Piper said. "He is a great mentor and helped prepare me for this role. I am grateful to Eric McNelley and the Athletic Department for the chance to lead Eastern Men's Lacrosse. I am excited to move into this new role and look forward to great things in the program."

Wallace will continue in his Associate Athletic Director duties until he begins as the Athletic Director at Delaware County Christian School this summer.