Bates men's lacrosse head coach, Dan Annino, has announced the addition of Andrew Smistad to his staff. He will join fellow assistant, Thomas Klosowski, for the 2023 campaign.
"I could not be more excited to welcome Andrew to Lewiston and to the Bates men's lacrosse family," said Annino. "He brings a wealth of knowledge as both a coach and player across multiple levels and disciplines of the game. In particular, Andrew's expertise in culture building, along with a strong foundation in skill development from the indoor game, will add an exciting new element to our staff and team. Most importantly, it is Andrew's natural abilities and presence as a leader that excite me most about his addition to our program. Bates men's lacrosse is incredibly fortunate to have Coach Smistad as a member of its staff."
Smistad joins the garnet and white after serving as head coach of the Calgary Shamrocks, a Canadian Junior box lacrosse team from Calgary, Alberta. The Shamrocks play in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League's Junior B Tier I league. Joining the program as an assistant coach in 2016, Smistad was promoted to co-head coach in 2018 and served in that capacity before taking over the head job exclusively in 2020.
In 2019, the Shamrocks became the fourth team in Alberta's history to win the Founders Cup national lacrosse championship.
"I am extremely grateful, excited, and humbled by the opportunity to join the Bates family," said Smistad. "I'm looking forward to getting on the field with the team and to be surrounded by people like Coach Annino and Coach Klosowski. They are committed to doing the little things right, while holding each other accountable, with the overall focus being the development of a winning culture. I know there are great things to come with this program and I'm very thankful for Coach Annino giving me the opportunity to be a Bobcat."
An alum of Marquette University, the former Big East All-Academic selection graduated with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics. A three-time captain and defensive midfielder for the Golden Eagles (2011-14), Smistad was a 2014 draft pick of the Calgary Roughnecks of the National Lacrosse League (NLL).
Andrew lives in Lewiston with his wife Courtney, son Theo, and their dog Macey.
