POTSDAM — SUNY Potsdam Director of Athletics Mark Misiak has announced Gill Conners as the eighth head coach in the history of SUNY Potsdam men’s lacrosse. Conners replaces Rick Berkman, who transitions to an administrative role after leading the Bears for 30 seasons.

“Gill has quickly risen to the top of a very talented pool of candidates,” Misiak said. “His enthusiasm is infectious and I am confident that our current and future men’s lacrosse student-athletes will enjoy working with him. Although he has only just begun his journey with us, Gill already has a strong passion for SUNY Potsdam and our men’s lacrosse program.”

Conners comes to the North Country after six seasons at Division I St. Bonaventure University. He served in multiple roles for the Bonnies on both ends of the court. He has served as associate head coach and offensive coordinator since 2020. Conners served as the program’s defensive coordinator from 2018-20 and has also served as St. Bonaventure’s goalie coach and recruiting coordinator each season. Conners has also been heavily involved in the team’s fundraising, budget, academics, strength and conditioning, and helped promote the team through various social media platforms.

“I am honored to be the next head coach of Potsdam men’s lacrosse,” said Conners. “I want to thank Mark Misiak, Mike Busby and the rest of the search committee for this incredible opportunity. I also want to thank Coach Mearns for giving me a chance in 2018 and making me a part of the St. Bonaventure family for the past six years. None of this would be possible without my wife and daughter, and we couldn’t be more excited to call Potsdam home. Keep up the good work, Bears!”

In 2022, Conners helped the Bonnies to a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) regular season title. He coached two first-team and two second-team selections that season, including the MAAC Offensive Player of the Year. Conners also coached Premier Lacrosse League draft pick and Team Canada goalie Brett Dobson. The goalie was the MAAC Defensive Player of the Year and led the NCAA in save percentage in consecutive campaigns.

Before St. Bonaventure, Conners spent three seasons, from 2015 to 2018, as an assistant coach at Siena College. While with the Saints, he helped develop the Saints’ defense and goaltending and oversaw recruiting visits. He also organized Siena’s lacrosse prospect and summer camps. Conners began his career as a volunteer assistant at Brown University during the 2014-15 academic year, where he helped the Bears to an Ivy League title and an NCAA Tourney bid. He worked with the Bears’ goaltending and defense, handled game filming and managed the program’s Instagram page.

As a student, Conners was a talented goalie himself. He helped Onondaga Community College to back-to-back NJCAA National Championships and earned first-team All-American honors in 2012. Conners then transferred to Division I Quinnipiac University for two seasons. In 2013, he finished fifth in the nation in saves per game and was named All-NEC and NEILA first team. The following year, he was fourth in saves per game and seventh in save percentage. Conners earned second-team All-MAAC and NEILA honors to close out his career. He holds a communications degree from Quinnipiac.

Potsdam men’s lacrosse was awarded varsity status in 1976. Peter Bence coached the Bears from 1976-79. The late Potsdam Hall of Famer Dr. Chip Hunter led the program from 1980-84. 13-time national champion Jim Berkman led the Bears in 1985. Mike Branski coached the program from 1986-88. Mike Pounds led the team in 1989 and 1990. Jim Lyons led the Bears from 1991-94. Four-time SUNYAC Coach of the Year Rick Berkman served as head coach from 1995 through this spring, leading the Bears to the 2024 SUNYAC Championship game.