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Nicholas Vennard Tapped to Lead Men's Lacrosse Program

Nick Vennard new hire
July 16, 2025

CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu,(518) 629-7898 or (518) 416-2137
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Hudson Valley Community College Director of Athletics, Justin Hoyt, has announced the appointment of Nicholas Vennard as head coach of the Vikings men's lacrosse program. Vennard has been elevated to the leadership position after serving as the program's assistant coach last season.

"Coach Vennard has taken great strides as a lacrosse coach over the last couple of years, and we are excited to support Nick in growing the Vikings lacrosse program," said Director of Athletics, Justin Hoyt. "He played a vital role and guided our program through unexpected adversity last year and has been a true leader for our student-athletes."

A Hudson Valley alumnus and former lacrosse student-athlete, Vennard joined the Vikings coaching staff in October 2025. He managed student-athlete eligibility, team finances, and travel logistics for the program. Vennard also developed detailed offensive and defensive playbooks, including game-specific strategies, practice plans, and a strength and conditioning program.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to lead the HVCC Men's Lacrosse program and excited to get started," said Coach Nicholas Vennard. "I look forward to building on the strong foundation here and helping our student-athletes succeed on and off the field. My focus is on creating a culture of accountability, effort, and team-first values. I'm excited to begin this chapter with the program."

In addition to his coaching role at HVCC, Vennard currently serves as the Director of Gameday Operations and Community Relations for the Albany Firebirds, a championship team in the AF1 League. In this role, he oversees all game-day logistics before, during, and after events, and works closely with arena staff and community partners to enhance revenue, engagement, and sponsorship opportunities.

Prior to his time with the Firebirds, Vennard worked as the Game Day Stage Manager for the Albany Firewolves of the National Lacrosse League. There, he managed daily operations to ensure seamless workflows and optimized productivity. He also contributed to community relations, corporate sponsorships, and promotional initiatives.