NEW RELEASE:   Hempstead, NY –

Hofstra University Director of Athletics Jack Hayes today announced that the Harry H. Royle-Vincent J. Sombrotto Men’s Lacrosse Locker Room will be officially dedicated on April 12, 2008, prior to the Pride’s 1 p.m. game versus Delaware.

The Royle-Sombrotto Locker Room was made possible by a generous gift from Men’s Lacrosse alumnus James Metzger, who played at Hofstra in 1979 and 1980, was an honorable mention All-American as a sophomore in 1980 and is now chairman and CEO of The Whitmore Group, Ltd. The locker room is named after former Hofstra Coach and Athletic Administrator Harry Royle, who coached Metzger, and Vincent Sombrotto, a Hofstra teammate of Metzger who was an All-American and a two-time Team USA captain.

“When Head Coach Seth Tierney reached out to me and wanted to get me involved in the program, I realized that I had some unfinished business,” said Metzger, who left the program after his sophomore year. “The Royle-Sombrotto Locker Room is a gift that thanks Coach Royle for the support he gave me during my freshman and sophomore years, and pays tribute to Vinnie Sombrotto, who is one of the greatest lacrosse players in the history of the game.”

Royle coached the Hofstra Lacrosse team from 1976 to 1985 and won 58 games. Five teams finished ranked in the top 15 in the nation, including a #7 ranking in the final poll of 1978. He coached 12 All-Americans and eight North-South All-Star Game selections. After retiring from coaching, Royle began a long career as an athletic administrator at Hofstra that saw him serve as Director of Athletics from 1997 to 2004. During his tenure as Director of Athletics, Royle served on the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Committee and was the chairperson in 2002. After stepping down as Director of Athletics in 2004, Royle served as Director of Athletic Development until his retirement this past December.

Sombrotto was a second team All-American midfielder in 1980. After leaving Hofstra, Sombrotto was a member of four U.S. National Teams (1982, 86, 90, 94) and was an All-World Team selection in 1982. Sombrotto also enjoyed an illustrious career as a club player for Long Island-Hofstra, winning 10 U.S. Club National Championships and three National Club Player of the Year honors. A 15-time All-Club selection, he also earned Newsday All-Century team accolades and is a Krongard Award recipient, the highest honor in club lacrosse. Sombrotto also played professional lacrosse for the New York Saints and Long Island Lizards, and served as an assistant coach for the Lizards before a one-year stint as head coach in 2004.

The Royle-Sombrotto Locker Room, located on the lower level of Margiotta Hall, features new carpeting, oak lockers, and a lounge area. The lounge area is outfitted with a 50-inch flat screen television and state of the art video equipment. 

For more information on the Royle-Sombroto Locker Room, click here