GREENSBORO, N.C.—Greensboro College Director of Athletics Kim Strable announced the appointment of Nate Bates as head men’s lacrosse coach Wednesday afternoon. Bates is the Pride’s seventh men’s lacrosse mentor dating to the program’s inception in 1991.
The position is Bates’ fourth head coaching post in the college ranks and second in the USA South Athletic Conference (USA South). The 21-year coaching veteran also has extensive experience in the North Carolina lacrosse scene.
“Nate is highly regarded for his integrity and reputation for building men of character,” said Strable. “His program pillars of academics, team, winning the day, community, and striving for excellence speak well to his commitment to making a difference in the lives of his team members.”
No stranger to the North Carolina men’s lacrosse scene, Bates recently served a two-year stint as the Head Coach of ElonUniversity’s club team. While at Elon, he served on the SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference, part of the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association.
Bates started the men’s lacrosse program at USA South-rival William Peace University. He recruited 32 student-athletes for the Pacers’ inaugural season in 2018 as William Peace scored conference victories in their first season. His team featured the USA South’s Rookie of the Year and boasted eight all-conference honorees. In addition to his lacrosse duties, Bates served as the Pacers’ strength and conditioning coach.
Bates was Guilford College’s assistant men’s lacrosse coach alongside former Charlotte Hounds assistant Tom Carmeanfor six seasons. The 2011 Quakers enjoyed an instant six-win improvement in Bates’ first season while the 2015 club registered ten wins for the first time in 23 years. Inside Lacrosse named the 2011 Quakers the number one turnaround team in Division III. Guilford had its best Old Dominion Athletic Conference finish in school history, made its first appearance in the ODAC Men’s Lacrosse Tournament, advanced to the ODAC Quarterfinals in 2015 and 2016, doubled its team grade-point average, and fulfilled an ambitious community-service schedule in Bates’ tenure.
Outside the collegiate realm, Bates served two stints with the Carolina Hilltoppers Select Lacrosse Club from 2011 to 2016, returning in 2019. He helped develop the club’s players into student-athletes at all levels of college lacrosse.
“As lacrosse continues to grow and thrive in our greater Triad area, Coach Bates will be able to take advantage of his recruiting ties locally while continuing to attract quality players from across the country,” Strable commented.
Prior to his tenure at Guilford, Bates spent three seasons with multiple roles as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Messiah College where the Falcons won the Middle Atlantic Conference Regular Season title in 2008. He also served as the boys’ lacrosse coach and assistant athletic director at Heritage Christian School in Indiana.
Bates earned his bachelor’s of science degree in sport management from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, where he later served five years as the school’s club men’s lacrosse coach.
Bates and his wife, Brianne, live in Gibsonville with their four children.
What Others are Saying About Nate
“I know Coach Bates will inject a level of commitment into the program that will be felt throughout the USA South. He is an outstanding recruiter, an excellent fundamentals coach, and a wonderful mentor for the young men he works with.”
-Tom Carmean, former Guilford and Amherst head coach, former Charlotte Hounds assistant
I have been coaching high school and travel lacrosse for over 15 years. I have attended hundreds of college clinics, camps, tournaments and can honestly say Coach Bates is one of the best people and coaches I have had the pleasure to be around. His knowledge of the game and positive influence is second to none.
-Eddie Jones, CW Post alum, Cape Fear Shamrocks Director, Hoggard lacrosse coach
“I have been coaching HS lacrosse for almost 20 years in the triad and the alumni at Greensboro College should be excited about this hire. Nate is as detail oriented and hard-working an individual as you could find in the college lacrosse world.”
-Jim O’Neil, Virginia alum, Forsyth County District Attorney, RJ Reynolds head coach
“Nate is everything you’d expect out of a great lacrosse coach. He makes sure a group of players reach their potential as individual athletes, and as a team. It is unlikely that you will find someone who is more accomplished at recruiting and developing talented lacrosse players, and using that talent to create a winning lacrosse team. Nate’s emphasis on off-field development makes him an exceptional coach. Nate ensures that each player becomes a better student, a better teammate, and, ultimately, a better man.”
-Justin Przdziecki, former player under Bates at Guilford, lawyer for Walter & Haverfield
### WE ARE 1 PRIDE ###
Courtesy of Bryan Jones, Greensboro College Sports Information Director