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Head Coach Sonny Ziegler 
E-mail Coach Ziegler: sziegler@wingate.edu
Call Coach Ziegler: 704-233-8196

Wingate University head men’s lacrosse coach Sonny Ziegler has been named the head coach for the South squad in the 67th annual United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) North-South All-Star game for NCAA Division I and Division II senior student-athletes. University of North Carolina head coach John Haus will join Ziegler on the South staff.

This year’s North-South Senior All-Star Games will take place at Harvard Stadium in Boston, Friday, May 23, 2008 (Memorial Day weekend) as part of a triple-header with the Boston Cannons versus the Rochester Rattlers game. The first face-off for the Division III game will take place at 2 p.m., while the Division I/II contest will start at 4 p.m. The Cannons game will begin at 7 p.m.

Ziegler completed his fifth season as head lacrosse coach at Wingate in 2008. Ziegler is only the second head coach in the history of lacrosse at Wingate. Ziegler replaced John Dodd, who started the program in 1997.

Wingate has won 32 games during the last three seasons. The Bulldogs won or shared the Deep South Conference regular season title in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Wingate won its first-ever DSC tournament title in 2007. The Bulldogs were 11-3 overall in 2008.

During his five-year tenure, Ziegler has compiled an overall record of 39-30. He has coached 22 All-DSC selections and 12 All-DSC tournament honorees (with one tourney MVP). In addition, Ziegler has mentored two All-Americans. Two Bulldogs have been named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District III at-large team (college division), as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Prior to his promotion to head coach, Ziegler served as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for the Bulldogs in 2003. Before his arrival at Wingate, Ziegler spent one year as an assistant coach at St. Andrews Presbyterian College. While at St. Andrews, he served as the team’s offensive coordinator and helped lead the Knights to the first NCAA Division II tournament appearance in school history.

Ziegler also brings NCAA Division I experience to the Bulldog program, as he served as assistant coach under Dick Edell at the University of Maryland during the 2001 season. While with Maryland, he was responsible for coaching the Terrapin goalies. Under his tutelage, senior netminder Pat McGinnis garnered first team All-America honors. During his one-year stint with the Terps, Maryland finished the regular season ranked third in the nation and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals.

Ziegler also spent 10 years coaching on the high school level in his native Maryland as both an assistant and head coach. He coached at Mt. St. Joseph’s High School, Glenelg High School, Mt. Hebron High School and Calvert Hall College High School. He helped guide Mt. Hebron to the title game of the 1995 3A-4A Maryland state tournament. He led the Vikings to another state final appearance as head coach in 1996.

Ziegler played his collegiate lacrosse at NCAA Division III powerhouse Salisbury University, the seven-time NCAA champions. Ziegler and his wife, Chris, live in Wingate. He understands the significance of this achievement. “I am honored to take part in an event that has such a special place in the history of this game,” Ziegler says.

The NCAA men’s lacrosse championship games for all three divisions will be played in Foxborough, Mass. Memorial Day weekend as well. Advance tickets for the 67th annual USILA North-South All-Star game can be obtained by calling the Cannons ticket office at 888-847-9700.