Feb. 8, 2007

By Patrick Evans
Student Assistant
UNC Athletic Communications Office

With the opening of a new men's lacrosse season in Chapel Hill, the Tar Heels welcome back a piece of the past. Judd Lattimore, a four-year lacrosse letterman, has come back to Chapel Hill as a member of the lacrosse coaching staff.

"It feels great to be at Carolina," said Lattimore. "I am excited to work at my alma mater."

Lattimore, a team captain in 1996 and All-America honoree at Auburn High School in New York, came to Chapel Hill as one of the top lacrosse players in the country. He was a member of the 1993, 1994 and 1995 Central New York Lacrosse team at the Empire State Games. Lattimore led the team as captain in 1995.

In addition to his excellence on the lacrosse field, Lattimore was also a two-time All-America in swimming at Auburn.

An Inside Lacrosse pre-season All-America as a junior in 2000, Lattimore was a vital member of the Tar Heels offense. In 2001, Lattimore spent his final year at Carolina as a senior attackman under current UNC head coach John Haus.

Lattimore started his coaching journey the following year at the State University of New York at Geneseo. During his time with the Knights, the team recorded its best record in 20 years. Geneseo also achieved its highest ranking in school history up to that point.

He then moved on to Limestone College in Gaffney, S.C. As the team's first assistant coach and offensive coordinator, Lattimore directed Limestone's attack to a 19.3 goals per game average in 2004. The mark was the highest in all three divisions of NCAA lacrosse. During his time in Gaffney, Lattimore coached 10 All-America honorees and the team racked up a 15-2 record in 2004, tops in school history, and scored 314 goals, equaling the school record.

Lattimore then took his skills to the University of Delaware in 2004-05. Under head coach Bob Shillinglaw, a 1974 North Carolina graduate, Lattimore helped lead the Blue Hens to the 2005 Colonial Athletic Association regular season championship. The squad also earned a spot in the CAA tournament championship before falling to Townson.

The last stop for Lattimore before his return to Chapel Hill was the University of Pennsylvania. As an assistant at Penn, the team finished 12th in the national coaches' poll and earned an NCAA tournament bid.

Getting back to the NCAA tournament was a highlight for Lattimore. When asked about his time at Carolina, his favorite moment was, "playing in the NCAA tournament."

Lattimore now comes back to Chapel Hill to work with his former coach in 2001. "I had a great relationship with him as a player," said Lattimore of Haus, "and it has been great working with him."

Along with his years of experience as an assistant coach, Lattimore has a bachelor's degree in interpersonal and organizational skills. He considers this to be a great asset. "My college education has been very beneficial to my professional career. "

After leading record setting offenses at Limestone College, Lattimore is excited to bring some of this knowledge to the Tar Heel attack. The former Carolina attackman said his job "is to give a lot of input on the offense." Tar Heel fans can look forward to an even more potent attack than last year that featured, then-freshman, Bart Wagner as the leading scorer.

What does Lattimore expect from the Tar Heels this season?

"Carolina lacrosse has a long tradition of excellence," said Lattimore. "It is our goal to be the best college lacrosse team in the country. I think we have a great group of guys who are fun to coach."

Not only is Lattimore working with the Tar Heel stars of today, as head coach of the Triangle Select Lacrosse under-15, "Carolina Cannons," he also imparts his knowledge to possible Tar Heel lacrosse stars of the future.

"TSL is involved with many good players from this area and I feel fortunate to be a part of that group," said Lattimore.

He is also involved at the professional level of lacrosse. As a third round draft pick in the 2007 Major League Lacrosse supplemental draft on December 5, 2006, Lattimore will be a member of the San Francisco Dragons.

"I have been drafted," said Lattimore about his professional career. "I am excited to be a part of the San Francisco organization."

Looking forward, Lattimore is excited to be working under head coach John Haus again, this time as an assistant.

"Coach has taught me a great deal," said Lattimore, "I look forward to continue to learn from him."