Aledo High School has a reputation for excellence in many sports.
Now lacrosse is looking to be added to that list, as Athan Iannucci was recently hired to serve as the junior varsity head coach and Director of Lacrosse Operations for the coming season.
Iannucci has a storied career in the sport of lacrosse, being named to the 2007 National Lacrosse League All-Rookie Team after being selected by the Philadelphia Wings as the eighth pick in the first round of the draft. A year later he was named the 2008 League MVP and was an All-Pro First Team that same season.
Prior to that, he played at Hofstra University (2003-05) under future Hall of Fame coach and current Team USA head coach, John Danowski.
The pinnacle of his NCAA career came in 2005 when he was named an All-American and led the NCAA in goals and points, setting Hofstra's single-season scoring record with 62 goals.
Originally from New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada, Iannucci was hired by the Aledo Lacrosse Board. President Ken Dunphy said he and fellow board members Summer Wilkes and Meridith Nussbaum-Ray could tell it was a perfect fit from the beginning.
“When we made the decision to launch Aledo Lacrosse, our board knew we needed a strong leader to establish a solid foundation for our program,” Dunphy said. “We interviewed several candidates, but it was clear after meeting Coach Iannucci that he was the ideal choice.
"Following the initial interview, we invited him to run a training session with some of our players, and it confirmed what we already believed — his coaching style and vision were a perfect match for our program.”
Iannucci, 42, will take the helm for Aledo's inaugural JV team while also setting the tone and expectations for the youth coaching staff.
“His leadership will elevate our already strong coaching team and provide a unified vision for the program’s development,” Dunphy said. “His influence will not only benefit us this year but also shape the trajectory of Aledo Lacrosse for years to come.”
For Iannucci, the new position appealed to him for a couple of reasons.
“Coaching the JV team offers a unique opportunity to work with some of the finest athletes I have come across in all my years of coaching,” Iannucci said. “I don’t know what they put in the Aledo water supply, but whatever it is, it’s working. Jokes aside, the inherent athleticism I have seen thus far is a testament to the coaching and strength and conditioning program in the Aledo school system. I am fortunate to inherit such athletes into the lacrosse program and hope to continue the success this community has earned the right to come to expect.”
Iannucci said that what excites him most about the Aledo program is the opportunity to help build it from the ground up.
“Every lacrosse player dreams of seeing the sport grow and thrive, especially in communities that value athletics as a cornerstone of their identity,” Iannucci said. “The opportunity to introduce and build lacrosse in Aledo—a town that has already established itself as a beacon of athletic success — is truly inspiring.
“Aledo’s unparalleled dominance in football, combined with its deep, community-wide commitment to sports excellence, creates the perfect environment for expanding the game...being part of a community where sports are celebrated and supported at such a high level is the dream of anyone passionate about growing lacrosse and helping it take root in a place that values athletic achievement and teamwork so deeply.”
Iannucci said his coaching philosophy involves fostering a passion for the sport of lacrosse while encouraging an understanding of how the sport's lessons apply to daily life.
“I want to teach my athletes more than just the mechanics of the game,” Iannucci said. “I want to instill in them a love for lacrosse, a respect for its history, and an understanding of the values it represents. My goal is to help them develop not only as players but as men who can apply the lessons learned on the field to their lives.
“Whether it’s striving for excellence, overcoming adversity, or supporting their teammates, these lessons will stay with them long after their time in the program ends. I hope to inspire them to dream big and work hard to reach their full potential in everything they do.”
Dunphy, 37, said Iannucci himself lives up to his own coaching philosophy.
“Coach Iannucci brings a wealth of experience and a relentless work ethic that aligns perfectly with the culture of Aledo,” Dunphy said. “As a player, he excelled at the highest levels, setting records in college, earning professional accolades, and being named league MVP in 2008. Beyond his impressive achievements, he serves as a strong role model for our athletes, demonstrating the values of dedication, perseverance, and leadership.
“His background and mindset reflect the high standards we aim to instill in our program, and we’re thrilled for him to bring that expertise to Aledo."
As for his move to Aledo, Iannucci said his new city is “a stunning part of Texas I hadn’t explored before, with its upscale rural charm,” and said the school spirit and enthusiasm surrounding Bearcats sports is evident.
“Driving through town, the countless Aledo Bearcat signs make it clear this city is passionate about sports,” Iannucci said. “It’s hard to imagine a better hub for expanding lacrosse in the Fort Worth region.”
Iannucci said his ultimate goal for the Aledo Lacrosse Program is to establish it as a premier program in Texas, one that reflects the same level of excellence and competitive spirit the community has achieved in other sports, particularly football. Even though lacrosse is not a University Interscholastic League sport, quite a few schools throughout Texas have teams in the Texas High School Lacrosse League as will Aledo, alongside programs such as Grapevine, Fort Worth Country Day, Fort Worth Trinity Valley School, and more.
“I want to create a culture where lacrosse becomes a source of pride for Aledo, developing not just skilled athletes but well-rounded individuals who embody discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship,” Iannucci said. “Long term, I hope to see Aledo producing collegiate-level lacrosse players and building a legacy that inspires the next generation to pick up the stick and embrace the game.”
Gene Gallin from Unsplash
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What is Lacrosse?Lacrosse is a contact team sport played with a lacrosse stick and a lacrosse ball. It is the oldest organized sport in North America, with its origins with the indigenous people of North America as early as the 12th century. The game was extensively modified by European colonists, reducing the violence, to create its current collegiate and professional form. Players use the head of the lacrosse stick to carry, pass, catch, and shoot the ball into the goal.
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