?

Ray LaForte

 
Profile
Ray is entering his sixth season as men’s lacrosse coach at the Coast Guard Academy.

Ray has overseen the rise of the lacrosse program from club status to NCAA Top 25 in the span of seven years. The 2018 NEILA/NEWMAC Coach of the Year has been coaching in collegiate athletics for 31 years. The 2019 season saw Coast Guard Lacrosse in the NEWMAC final for the second consecutive season and consecutive 14 win seasons have placed the program in the NIKE top 20 poll six times the past two years.

The program has had historic victories over National #1 Wesleyan in 2018, 10-9 in overtime. The first victory of any Coast Guard Academy program over a #1 ranked opponent. In 2017, CGA lacrosse served Springfield College its first ever home league loss in NEWMAC competition with a 9 – 8 victory. The lacrosse program eclipsed the 50 mark in 2019 and stands at 52 – 30 in its first five seasons.

In the past two seasons CGA Lacrosse has had four players honored as USILA All-Americans. Riley McNulty ('18, '19), Trey Johnson ('18), Anthony Wyler ('19) and Justin Edwards ('19).

Prior to Coast Guard Academy, La Forte worked as an assistant to Jeff Long at Ithaca. There Ithaca was in the national tournament twice in his five seasons. During Ray’s time at Ithaca his man down unit led the nation in man down percentage in 1997.

Ray has served on the Coast Guard Academy football coaching staff the past 21 years. As Offensive Coordinator the past 15 seasons and Defensive Coordinator his first six years at the Academy. Under La Forte the Bears have set 31 offensive records since 2005. Ray has a history of success developing quarterbacks in the CGA Spread/Option system. Every starting quarterback under Ray’s tutelage has received regional/league honors in their career.

In 2006 and 2007, Christian George was named NEFC Player of the Year twice after being converted from receiver to quarterback. Niles Pierson ('06), Jon Resch ('09), Derek Victory ('16) and WR Justin Moffatt ('18) have all received the Boston Globe Golden Helmet Award for single game performances.

In 2012, the Bears set a school record of 3,661 yards total offense. Twice in the past 16 seasons CGA football has lad the nation in least sacks allowed per pass attempt and fumbles lost. In 2007, the Bears set the then NEFC record of 684 yards in a single game.