NEW YORK, July 22, 2019 – The New York Riptide announced today the hiring of Marshall Abrams as an Assistant Coach for the National Lacrosse League (NLL) team. Abrams, who will serve as Offensive Coordinator, is a decorated former professional lacrosse player with more than 10 years experience as a box and field lacrosse coach.
“Marshall brings a wealth of championship experience as a player and coach both in the box and on the field and we are excited to add him as our Assistant Coach and Offensive Coordinator for the Riptide,” said Riptide Head Coach and General Manager Regy Thorpe. “He has playing and coaching experience at the highest levels – NCAA, NLL, MLL, and FIL – and to have someone of his pedigree leading our men will help us charge out of the gates strong with our new team. The fans are going to love the style of play he coaches on the offensive side of the ball.”
The Riptide acquired the rights for Abrams from the Halifax Thunderbirds in exchange for a 2021 second round draft pick. “I want to thank Curt Styres and his team for working with us on this trade,” added Thorpe.
Abrams was an Assistant Coach for the Rochester Knighthawks for the past two seasons after a few years away from the game. He is currently a coach for the Junior “A” Six Nations Arrows, a position he also previously held from 2007-2014. During that time he helped lead the team to two Minto Cups – one as an Offensive Coordinator in 2007 with Thorpe as the Head Coach and another in 2014 as a Head Coach with Thorpe as Defensive Coordinator.
During his playing career, Abrams spent eight seasons (2002-08, 2010) with the Knighthawks. He was named to the East Division roster for the NLL All-Star Game in 2006 and was a key member of the 2007 Knighthawks’ NLL Championship team alongside Thorpe and Smith. Abrams broke into the NLL in 2001 with the Columbus Landsharks and was named to the All-Rookie Team. Abrams played college lacrosse at Syracuse University and was a three-time All-American, named Defenseman of the Year (2000), and helped the team capture the 2000 Division I National Championship. Internationally, Abrams won silver medals at back-to-back World Indoor Lacrosse Championships (2003, 2007). In 2007, he served as one of the alternate captains for the Iroquois Nationals.
The NLL awarded the New York franchise to live events and sports media entertainment company GF Sports in December 2018. The Riptide will play home games at NYCB LIVE, Home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum when it begins play in December for the 2019-20 NLL season.
Fans can place a deposit on season ticket memberships at www.NewYorkRiptide.com or speak to a customer service representative at 516-888-6879 and follow the team @NewYorkRiptide to receive behind the scenes information as the team prepares for the 2019-20 season.