The Hilton High School Athletic Department has appointed Craig Lepiane to head the boys varsity lacrosse team and Mackenzie Dude to head the girls varsity lacrosse team.
Lepiane brings over 16 years of competitive coaching and administration to the Hilton lacrosse program. He is currently regional manager for 3d Lacrosse’s Upstate Division, and for the past two seasons, Lepiane has been the defensive coordinator at West Irondequoit High School. Prior to that, he was the offensive coordinator, Junior Program director and head coach and goalie coach at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
Lepiane graduated from Ithaca College with a bachelor’s degree in health and exercise science and a minor in sports psychology.
Craig resides in West Irondequoit with his wife, Renee, and two children, Chase and Olivia.
Dude is a 2014 Hilton High School graduate. She played lacrosse for the Hilton Cadets and served as a team captain. Dude was awarded First Team All County and Honorable Mention AGR in her senior year. Twice she received the Award for Sportsmanship for all female student-athletes.
After graduating from Hilton, Dude went on to play lacrosse at Roberts Wesleyan College for four years while completing her bachelor of science in childhood and special education. She was a team captain for three years and served on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee for two years.
Dude’s coaching experience includes serving as a volunteer coach with HAYLO while she was in high school and coaching the travel team for the past five years.
Dude said she is excited for this next step in her journey with lacrosse and is looking forward to seeing this program continue to grow and compete in the future.
“We are excited to have these two coaches step in to lead our boys and girls program respectively and work with our student athletes and their families,” said Michael Giruzzi, director of athletics and physical education. “We believe that their background, expertise and passion for the sport of lacrosse will continue the development of both programs.”
Provided information and photos
