Lackey named Lock Haven’s new head women’s wrestling coach
LOCK HAVEN, PA – Matt Lackey has officially returned to Mat-Town USA. The former NCAA Division I men’s national champion wrestler and the 2003 Big Ten Male Athlete of the Year has been named Lock Haven’s new head women’s wrestling coach and he will also serve as an assistant coach with the men’s program at The Haven.
Lackey will replace Ronnie Perry who is now the assistant coach with The Haven’s Division I men’s program.
“We are excited to welcome coach Matt Lackey back to our Haven family,” said Bashar W. Hanna, Commonwealth University president. “Matt has an impressive background on the mats as a standout student-athlete and as a collegiate coach. That experience and his passion for the sport will help make an immediate and positive impact on the women’s wrestling program and the men’s wrestling team, and I’m excited to see our student-athletes succeed this coming season and beyond.”
“I am thrilled to welcome Matt back to The Haven to lead our women’s wrestling program and support our men’s team. Matt distinguished himself as an assistant coach and recruiter for the men’s team in his first tenure at LHU before successfully reprising that role at the University of Buffalo,” said Ron Darbeau, vice president for faculty affairs and academic operations, and campus administrator. “I am confident in his ability and aspiration to enhance our programs and am eager to see them prosper under his leadership.”
Lackey returns to The Haven after previously serving as the men’s assistant wrestling coach at Lock Haven from 2009-2011.
Following his stint with the Bald Eagles, he moved on the University of Buffalo where he served as the head assistant men’s wrestling coach from 2011-2014.
“I am excited to welcome Matt back to Lock Haven,” said Tom Gioglio, Lock Haven director of athletics. “Besides his outstanding qualifications, accomplishments, and experience, the knowledge and coaching methods he brings to the wrestling programs will enhance the student-athletes skills, while elevating their personal success, which will allow the teams to meet their goals.”
Lackey now takes the reigns of the women’s program at Lock Haven who enter their second full season of competition in 2022-23.
“I’m excited to return to Lock Haven and join Coach Moore, Perry, and Weikel in The Rise,” Lackey said. “Having the opportunity to lead the Lock Haven women’s wrestling team and to be joining the men’s team as an assistant is really special. When I finished competing, Lock Haven was my first coaching position, and to now lead an emerging NCAA sport at Lock Haven as a father of four daughters is truly special. I look forward to bringing individual and team championships to The Haven and Mat-Town USA.”
“I want to thank President Hanna, Dr. Ron Darbeau, Dr. Tom Gioglio, and the search committee for their support, and diligent work during this process,” added Lackey. “I look forward to reconnecting with our alumni, former wrestlers, and supporters, and building new relationships. Go Bald Eagles!”
A decorated collegiate wrestler, Lackey competed at the University of Illinois where he won a NCAA Division I championship at 165 pounds in 2003.
Lackey was a three-time All-American, a two-time Big Ten Champion, and he was named the 2003 Big Ten Male Athlete of the Year. As an athlete, he also was a two-time United States’ Olympic Trials qualifier.
During his time at Buffalo, Lackey served as the recruiting coordinator. Over three seasons, he helped guide 11 wrestlers to the national tournament.
Since May of 2019, Perry has served as the women’s head wrestling coach while also maintaining an assistant coach role with the men’s program. He will now officially fill the role that Nate Carr, Jr. held. Carr was named the head coach at Davidson in early August.
“First, I want to thank Coach Moore for giving me the opportunity,” said Perry. “I am thrilled to accept my new position with the men’s team. This team has played a huge role in my life, and I look forward to being able to have an impact on the future success of the team.”
“It is an exciting time for Coach Lackey as he takes over the women’s program,” added Perry. “I am confident he will continue the already successful program and continue to take it to new heights. LHU Women’s Wrestling is in good hands!”
Last season, Perry helped guide the women’s team to a historic run in the Bald Eagles’ first full season of action. From the early November season-opener, Coach Perry and the women’s team achieved a number of milestones including the program’s first dual match, first home dual match, first upset-win and first team national ranking.
Perry’s leadership also helped the men’s team power its way to the program’s first Mid-American Conference (MAC) title last season. As the 2021-22 MAC Championships ended, the Bald Eagles had dominated the field and stood atop the team standings, 15.5 points ahead of the second-place team.
“Matt is a natural fit for this position,” said Scott Moore, Lock Haven head men’s wrestling coach. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to both the men’s and women’s programs. Matt’s exceptional wrestling resume speaks volumes about his passion and dedication to the sport. He will make an immediate impact at Lock Haven and help us continue to keep both programs amongst the nation’s elite.”
“Ronnie did a fantastic job in building a strong foundation for the women’s program,” added Moore. “I’m looking forward to his continued commitment in building our championship culture and developing elite student-athletes in Mat-Town USA.”
Both teams are hard at work in preparation of the start of the new season. The Lock Haven men’s and women’s wrestling teams will officially open the 2022-23 on Sunday, Nov. 6 at the Princeton Open.
