Jon Lombardo Named New Athletic Director at St. Mary's Ryken

Beginning on July 1, 2020, Coach Jon Lombardo will assume the role of Athletic Director at St. Mary's Ryken. He will also continue as Head Boys Lacrosse Coach. Coach Lombardo joined the SMR staff last year as the Assistant Athletic Director and Boys Lacrosse Coach. He is very familiar with the mission and values of the school, structure of the athletic department and operations of the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC). 

"Thank you to President Rick Wood, Principal Catherine Bowes, Dean Joe Wysokinski and the entire search committee for believing in my vision for enhancing the identity of the St. Mary's Ryken Athletics program that aligns with the mission and vision of the school," said Coach Jon Lombardo. "I am excited to continue working with great people to serve our students and the entire SMR community." 

"Coach Lombardo has been on our staff for one year and we are very impressed with his work ethic, passion for supporting our student-athletes in the classroom and on the field, and his commitment to our values at St. Mary's Ryken," said Dean of Students, Mr. Joseph Wysokinski. "We are confident that he will continue to move our athletic program forward within the WCAC, and continue to create a positive culture among all of our teams."

"Our philosophy will be to continue to create a transformational student experience through establishing our championship culture in alignment with the mission and vision of St. Mary's Ryken and the Xaverian Brothers Sponsored School values," said Coach Lombardo. "The experience and culture will operate in three phases: 1. Structure in Athletics 2. Vision for Athletics and 3. Impact through Athletics. I plan to implement these phases for our department starting immediately!" said Coach Lombardo. 

Previously, Coach Lombardo was the full-time Assistant Coach of the Men's Lacrosse Team at the University of Lynchburg for four years. He also served as the graduate assistant for the team while he attended the university to earn a master's degree in Educational Leadership. He earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education with a history minor also from Lynchburg. During his time at Lynchburg as a student, Coach Lombardo played on the varsity men's lacrosse team and was the team captain for two years. He also is a two-time Lynchburg Lacrosse Leadership Award recipient, a United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association All American and two time All Old Dominion Athletic Conference selection.