The Syracuse Smash announced today that they have promoted Pat Donahue to the position of head coach, and have hired Mark Vitarelli as associate coach.

Donahue has spent the last two seasons in the Smash organization as both a player and an Associate Coach. He becomes the second head coach in team history (Kevin Alexander, 1998; the Smash did not appoint a single head coach in 1999). A native of Syracuse and a graduate of West Genesee High School, Donahue appeared in seven games with the Smash the last two seasons. Donahue played four years at Syracuse University, graduating in 1987. He currently teaches science at Ray Durge Junior High School in Baldwinsville.

Vitarelli, 44, brings a wealth of lacrosse knowledge to the Smash, having coached since 1979. A native of Peterborough, Ontario, Vitarelli has won an unprecedented nine Minto Cups, the Canadian Junior Championships, including five as a Head Coach (1981-83, 1986-87) and four as a player (1972-75). All nine Cups came as a member of the Peterborough organization. Vitarelli left the junior ranks in 1984 to join the Peterborough Lakers Senior team, winning the Mann Cup Championship. He spent one more season coaching Senior before returning to the junior ranks.