ERIC BASSETT

HEAD COACH

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Coach Bassett grew up in Denver, Colorado attending Overland High School in Aurora where he was a 4-year varsity letterman. Bassett continued his lacrosse career at the University of Arizona where he was a 4-year WCLL all-star playing midfield his first two years, then transitioning to attack his junior and senior seasons.

As an attackman Bassett was the 1989 and 1990 leading scorer, voted outstanding attackman in '89, and team MVP of the 1990 WCLL Championship team. He also received the most League All-Star votes and was selected to represent the West Coast in the national North-South All-Star game at Johns Hopkins in 1990. Coach Bassett performed well in the nationally televised game earning him an invitation to play club lacrosse for Maryland's elite Mount Washington Tavern Lacrosse Club in addition to multiple pro box lacrosse tryout invitations. Bassett was also invited to play on the 1989 US National Team that traveled to England to play the England National team as a tune-up for the World Games.

Coach Bassett started his coaching career touring the country coaching lacrosse camps with North Carolina coach Richie Meade, among many others. He took his knowledge to the High School game in 2015 coaching a single season at Aliso Niguel HS in Laguna Niguel, CA before taking the Head Coaching position at Trabuco HIlls HS in Mission Viejo, CA. While at Trabuco Hills he won 102 games, 5 South Coast League Championships, and was selected the 2023 Coach of the Year by the Orange County Register. Bassett's HS teams earned a reputation of overachieving. As a UofA alumni, he brings the same intensity and championship mentality he experienced during his career.

PAUL REIF

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

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Reif served as an assistant coach at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in the Spring of 2025. He has served as the athletic director at Mt. Anthony Union High School in Bennington, Vermont, for the last three years and before that was the head lacrosse coach at Hoosac Prep, where he won two DIII NEPSAC titles in 2019 and 2021.

Reif is an alum of Weber State University in Ogden,UT, and would go on to receive his Masters of Education degree at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, MA.

Reif began his first collegiate varsity head coaching position as the Green Mountain College men's lacrosse coach in October of 2017. He became the ninth head coach in program history. He also served as the department's director of facilities while at Green Mountain.

Prior to arriving at Green Mountain, Reif had been the assistant men's lacrosse coach at the University of Arizona from the fall of 2015 to June 2017. In 2016, the team earned a playoff berth in the MCLA National Tournament against Boston College. Over the course of two seasons at Arizona, Reif coached five MCLA Division I All-Americans. He credits his collegiate success to Head Coach Scott Marr and the University of Albany Men’s Lacrosse coaching staff for the observational training opportunity they afforded him during the 2013-2015 seasons.  

Reif also served twice as the Lacrosse coach at Mount Anthony Union High School in Bennington, VT. While there, he amassed a record of 72-42, which included a top mark of 15-3 back in 2013 and a Vermont State DII Championship appearance in 2023. In addition, Reif was named the US Lacrosse Vermont State Head Coach of the Year in 2014. During his time at MAU, he helped to develop thirteen US Lacrosse All-Americans.

JOE FELDMAN

SPECIAL TEAMS COACH

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Bio coming soon.

MARKEL BUTCHER

STRENGTH & PERFORMANCE

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Coach Markel Butcher brings a wealth of experience and a passion for athlete development to the University of Arizona men’s lacrosse program as the Strength and Performance Coach. With a strong background in strength and conditioning, Markel is dedicated to maximizing the performance and well-being of student-athletes through tailored training programs and evidence-based practices.

Originally a 3-star football recruit from Long Beach, CA, Coach Markel’s journey in sports performance began at Pima Community College, where he excelled as a wide receiver on the football team. His experience as a student-athlete instilled in him a deep appreciation for the challenges faced by young athletes, as well as the importance of teamwork and leadership. He demonstrated remarkable commitment and perseverance during his time as a preferred walk-on wide receiver at the University of Arizona.

Since beginning his coaching journey at the University of Arizona, Markel has made significant contributions to the Olympic Strength and Conditioning program. As an intern, he has designed and monitored strength training programs while assisting with over 200 student-athletes across various sports. His ability to demonstrate proper exercise techniques and ensure safe implementation reflects his commitment to athlete safety and performance efficiency.

Markel has honed his skills through internships with the Arizona football and basketball strength and conditioning programs. During his football internship, he played a crucial role in warm-up conditioning for over 100 athletes, providing motivation and support during lift and speed training sessions. His proficiency in utilizing advanced technologies such as VALD and GymAware has enabled him to measure and analyze athlete performance effectively, ensuring individualized training approaches that drive results.

As Coach Markel steps into his role with the University of Arizona men's lacrosse program, he brings not only expertise in strength and conditioning but also a genuine passion for helping athletes reach their full potential.

RYZUN HAZEN

NUTRITION & CONDITIONING COACH

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Bio coming soon.

RYAN HOLLINGTON

VIDEOGRAPHER & SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT

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Bio coming soon.