Chris Collins, a standout goalkeeper for the University of Delaware men’s lacrosse squad and a 2005 All American, will begin his fifth season on the Blue Hen men's lacrosse coaching staff in 2010, his fourth in a full-time role.
Collins, a native of Yorktown Heights, NY (Lakeland Panas High School), earned his physical education degree from the University of Delaware in May, 2005. He works primarily with the team’s goalkeepers and helped develop Tom Scherr into one of the nation's top goalkeepers during the 2007 and 2008 campaigns.
“Chris is a great addition to our coaching staff,” said Shillinglaw. “He knows what it takes to be an outstanding goalkeeper, has a real passion for the game, and is an enthusiastic coach. He has played a key role in helping our young goalkeepers develop.”
Collins played a big role in helping the Blue Hens post the finest season in school history in 2007. The Blue Hens went 13-6 overall, captured the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament title, and advanced to the NCAA Final Four for the first time in school history. Delaware stormed past defending national champion and No. 2 seed Virginia by a 14-8 score in the first round, defeated No. 13 ranked UMBC 10-6 in the quarterfinals at Navy, and trailed eventual national champion Johns Hopkins 3-2 late in the third quarter before falling to the Blue Jays 8-3 in the national semifinals before a record crowd of 52,004 fans at Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium.
Collins earned United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association honorable mention All American honors in 2005 after leading the nationally-ranked Blue Hens to an 11-6 record, the Colonial Athletic Association regular season title, and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
The Hens, who placed second in the CAA Tournament, made just their third NCAA Tournament appearance in school history before falling to No. 5 seed Navy 9-7 in the opening round.
Collins became the first UD goalkeeper to earn All-American honors since Jim Pappas was an honorable mention pick in 1962. Collins, who earned second team All-CAA honors each of the last two seasons, was a three-year starter in the nets for the Hens and was named the team's Most Valuable Player in 2005. He also earned the team’s Sportsmanship Award and played in the annual USILA North-South Senior All-Star game.
He started all 17 games in 2005, posting a 7.56 goals against average and a .584 save percentage. He set school records for minutes played in a season (1,009:18), goals against average in a season (7.56), and goals against average in career (8.64), and ranks No. 4 all-time at Delaware with 554 saves.
During on-line voting for the 60th Anniversary All-Time Delaware Team in 2008, Collins was the top vote-getter among goalkeepers to earn a spot on the first team.
In Collins' first season on the coaching staff, he helped lead Delaware to a 12-5 record and a berth in the CAA title game before falling to No. 2 ranked Hofstra in the championship game. Delaware also advanced to the CAA semifinals in 2008 and finished with a 9-7 record.
He remains an active participant in the game and will enter his fifth professional season this spring as a goalkeeper, playing for the Washington Bayhawks of Major League Lacrosse. He also was a member of the Major League Lacrosse New York Titans during the 2008 indoor season.
Assistant Coach Chris Collins