Denver Outlaws Announce Coaching Change

Denver Outlaws Announce Coaching Change
The Denver Outlaws name Jim Beardmore the new head coach for the 2007 season.

DENVER – March 7, 2007 –The Denver Outlaws of Major League Lacrosse have announced that Jim Beardmore will take over as head coach for the 2007 season. Beardmore will be the Outlaws second coach in as many seasons, taking the reigns after the departure of Jarred Testa.

In Colorado’s first year of Major League Lacrosse, Testa led Denver to a league-tying best 10-2 regular season record and the Western Conference title. The Outlaws boasted the league’s third-ranked defense and top-ranked offense, scoring 197 goals during the 2006 season and outscoring opponents by an average of 6 goals per game.

“Jarred did a great job for us last season and we are extremely appreciative of his efforts,” says Outlaws General Manager Brian Reese. “Unfortunately, due to personal commitments, Jarred will not be able to return as head coach. I want to thank Jarred for all he did, as he was instrumental in putting the inaugural team together. Last year’s success was in large part due to his hard work.”

Beardmore comes to the Outlaws after three seasons coaching perennial powerhouse Severna Park High School in Maryland, where he compiled an overall record of 50-8 and led the team to state titles in 2004 and 2006 and runner-up honors in 2005. These accomplishments earned Beardmore Anne Arundel County Coach of the Year honors in 2004 and 2005 as well as Baltimore Sun and Washington Post All Metro Coach of the Year awards in 2006. He served as a defensive and goalie coach for his alma mater, the Severn School, for the 2001 and 2002 seasons and was the head coach at Chesapeake High School from 1999-2001.

“I am extremely pleased to announce the hiring of Jim Beardmore as the next head coach of the Denver Outlaws,” Reese says. “Much like Jarred, Jim has a genuine passion for coaching and is a great motivator and teacher. I know Jim will have the immediate respect of the players and will have tremendous success as the head coach of the Denver Outlaws.”

“I can’t wait to come out there and guide the Outlaws back to the championship game,” Beardmore says. “This is the highest level of lacrosse and professional sports are all about winning. I am as excited as any one person can be about the opportunity.”

Beardmore also boasts an impressive list of accomplishments as a player, anchoring the University of Maryland defense between the pipes. As a senior at Maryland in 1987, Beardmore was a 1st team All-American, NCAA Goalie of the Year, ACC Player of the Year and 1st team All ACC. He then took his talents to the MILL (Major Indoor Lacrosse League) where he played for five seasons.

Beardmore is currently a director of Nike Lacrosse Summer Camps and All-American Sports Camps, a position he has held since 1998. Since 2006, he has also served as Director of Anne Arundel Sports Club, planning and organizing summer lacrosse leagues.

“Jim brings a wealth of experience and energy to the team,” Reese says. “I am extremely confident that Jim will help our organization with our missions of wining championships, serving the community and helping grow the sport of lacrosse in Colorado.”

“I am going to dive head first into the Colorado lacrosse community,” Beardmore says. “Lacrosse is growing at such a fast rate that they need coaches so the sport can keep up with itself. I’m looking to run clinics for boys and girls, as well as coaches when I get out there.”

The new head coach will be present at Outlaws open tryouts on April 1st from 11 am – 2 pm at the University of Denver’s Peter Barton Stadium.

-- DenverOutlaws.com --