SALEM - Bill Pilat announces the newest assistant coach to join the staff, Roanoke alumnus Justin Tuma '11. Tuma takes over for Zach Thomas '09, who was Pilat's right-hand man for the past four years. He will lead the offense and assist in practice management, scouting and recruiting.

Tuma, a three-time USILA All-American for Pilat from 2008-11, accumulated many accolades over his time at Roanoke College. His senior year, Tuma was named Roanoke College Outstanding Male Athlete, the VaSID State Player of the Year, and the ODAC Player of the Year. Following the 2011 season, he was named the ODAC/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete of the Year, as well as a USILA Scholar All-American. The Michigan native was a three-time All-ODAC selection, and holds the Roanoke career record for ground balls with 472.

“While we are sad to see Zach Thomas leave Roanoke College, we are excited to be getting a coach, and more importantly a person, like Justin Tuma to work with our student-athletes,” said Head Coach Bill Pilat. “Justin is a great up and coming young coach and he embodies what a true student-athlete should be. He will be an excellent role model for our men's lacrosse players here at Roanoke College.”

Tuma returns to Roanoke after a one-year stint as an assistant coach at Randolph-Macon College. He helped the Yellow Jackets reach the semi-finals of the ODAC Tournament for the first time in five years. He coached four All-ODAC selections at Randolph-Macon.

Tuma recently received his Master's Degree in Management from Durham University (England), where he wrote his dissertation on “The Romance of Leadership in American Collegiate Athletics and Its Prevalence Amongst Differing Genders.”

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