Harford's Verardi Earns Men's Lacrosse Coach of the Year Honors

Orlando, Fl. – The Intercollegiate Men's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IMLCA) has awarded Aaron Verardi, Men's Lacrosse Head Coach at Harford Community College the "2023 Scott Livie Junior College Coach of the Year Award." The award, named in honor of beloved lacrosse player, coach and mentor from Maryland’s Eastern Shore Scott Livie, recognizes the top coach in the junior college ranks and was awarded in December at the IMLCA Summit.

In his eighth season as head coach, Verardi led the Fighting Owls to an undefeated 12-0 season and NJCAA Championship after beginning the 2023 campaign ranked third. The team, no stranger to the Final Four, made their fourth consecutive appearance in 2023 under his leadership and also won the Region 20 title in those four seasons.

Most impressive is Verardi's ability to enjoy consistent success with his program, compiling a 75-33 record as a head coach with winning records in his last seven seasons. As an assistant for Harford prior to taking over as the interim head coach in 2015, Verardi supported the program to a 21-12 record.

Under Verardi, dozens of Fighting Owl student-athletes have earned region and conference recognition while several have earned NJCAA All-America honors. He also has an outstanding record of transferring student-athletes to the four-year level to continue to compete. "Coaching is the greatest profession, and coaching at the junior college level is incredibly rewarding. I'd like to thank my coaching staff and our support staff at Harford for making such a positive impact on our young men and the program," said Verardi of the award. Additionally, he serves as Harford's manager of student-athlete retention and success, promoting academic support for Fighting Owls athletics.

Award namesake and Baltimore native Scott Livie played lacrosse at McDonough High School (Owings Mills) and went on to play at Brown University (Providence, RI). Following his graduation from Brown, he served as assistant coach at Washington College (Chestertown, MD) and coached at Kent County High School, Gunston Day School, and several summer leagues. Livie was diagnosed with cancer but continued to coach even while undergoing chemotherapy. He died in 2006.

"While I didn't know him personally, I do know he was a great man and a mentor to many," said Verardi of winning the award in Livie's name. "I am humbled to receive this award in Coach Livie's honor."

This article is adapted from the original article posted January 12, 2024, by NJCAA Region 20. The original article can be read here: https://njcaaregion20.org/general/2023-24/releases/20240112je2ngr