The U lacrosse team didn’t have to look far for a replacement for the departing Mason Goodhand. Rich Levi, who played for the team last year as a midfielder, has been named Goodhand’s-who is off to Westminster College- successor.

“It is an honor to take over such an amazing program,” Levi said. “This team already has so many talented players and such tremendous support throughout the Utah lacrosse community.”

While Levi did play for the Utes last season, he’s not exactly your average early-20s college student. Levi, 34, has a rather diverse lacrosse background.

Levi was team captain for Brown University’s lacrosse team in 1992, helping the Bears to the NCAA Division I quarterfinals. After he graduated from the Ivy League school, he moved back to hometown Baltimore, where he started a lacrosse program from scratch at a local middle school.

Since moving to Park City seven years ago with his wife, Levi has been active in the lacrosse community. Competing in a wide array of tournaments and leagues, the shaggy-haired Levi kept his skills sharp.

His hard work culminated last year when, in his mid-thirties, he used his last remaining year of college eligibility to enroll in school full time and suit up for the U. For his efforts, he earned the team’s “unsung hero award.”

Levi takes over a team that went 10-8 in 2006, but loses some talented seniors. Nevertheless, he is confident that under his leadership, the team can continue to grow.

“We had very talented seniors at nearly every position in 2006, so I know we have some holes to fill,” Levi said. “But with tremendous leadership in our rising upperclassmen, we are looking forward to a very competitive season in 2007.”

New lacrosse coach Rich Levi