For the CSAC Institutional Academic Excellence Award, all students who use a season of eligibility, as defined by the NCAA, are included in the institution’s grade point average calculation.  Institutional grade point averages are calculated by using the total quality points of all credits attempted by student-athletes during the academic year.  The grade point average of student-athletes who do a study-abroad semester during the academic year are calculated in the same manner in which the institution calculates all grade point averages for students studying abroad.  Institutional grade point averages are calculated and certified by the registrar of each institution.

This marks the first time in the award’s four-year history in which Immaculata University has been honored.  Previous winners include Cairn University (2010-11) and Cedar Crest College (2008-09, 2009-10).

“We are thrilled to have been able to recruit a coach of Mickey Hover’s caliber to Immaculata University,” said Canterino. “Mickey is very highly regarded within men’s lacrosse circles and has a demonstrated ability to recruit in and around Pennsylvania, develop talent and win.

“Mickey brings a demonstrated record of success on the field to his new position as coach of the Immaculata University men’s lacrosse team. We welcome him to the IU community, and I look forward to watching him build a winning tradition for our men’s lacrosse program.”

Hover has spent the last four seasons as an assistant coach for the Griffins, helping the team to a 33-28 overall record during the first four seasons of the program, including reaching the Colonial States Athletic Conference playoffs in each season. Gwynedd-Mercy also advanced to the CSAC championship game in both 2010 and 2012, upsetting the second-seeded team in each of those years to advance to the final.

He served as Gwynedd-Mercy’s defensive coordinator and also assisted in coaching the goalkeepers and face-off specialists. The Griffins’ goalkeeper was selected All-CSAC Honorable Mention in 2010 and the face-off specialist was chosen to the second team all-conference in 2012.

Hover has also been the recruiting coordinator for Gwynedd-Mercy, and was involved in all aspects of the recruiting process from identifying prospective student-athletes to coordinating campus visits.

During the summer, Hover has worked numerous camps and clinics, including NXT Sports, Elite 100, Top 205 in Towson, Md., Bill Pilat’s Goalie School and MVP Lacrosse.

Hover was a highly regarded goalie upon graduation from college. He was selected to the 40-man roster for Team USA in the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships. He also spent two seasons as a goalie for the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League, and most recently was a goalie for the North American Lacrosse League’s Jersey Jesters.

Hover is a 2008 graduate of Southern New Hampshire University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management. He was a four-year letterwinner for the Penmen. Hover is currently finishing his master’s degree in Elementary Education from Gwynedd-Mercy.