JAMAICA, N.Y. -- Rick Sowell will be introduced as the head mens lacrosse coach at St. Johns University, it was announced by Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Athletics David C. Wegrzyn on Thursday.

Sowell comes to St. Johns after stints at two of the top programs in collegiate lacrosse, serving as an assistant at Georgetown, and most recently as the head coach at Dartmouth College. He will take over a Red Storm program that will begin competing on the Division I level in Spring 2005.

I am very excited to have a coach of Rick Sowell's caliber become our head coach at St. John's University, Wegrzyn said. He has a tremendous record of accomplishments at Georgetown and Dartmouth, and I think hell be an outstanding addition to our program.

Im very excited for this opportunity, Sowell said. Theres a lot of work that goes into starting a program, but St. Johns has a history of success across the board and Im ready to get going.

Sowell recently finished his fifth season at the helm of the Dartmouth program, guiding them to an 11-3 overall record in 2003, including the Ivy League Championship and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Under Sowells guidance, Dartmouth showed steady improvement, with four student-athletes earning All-New England honors, two being named All-Ivy honors and several taking home academic awards. The teams Ivy League Championship marked the first time in conference history a team had gone from last place to first, as the Big Green posted a 5-1 mark during the 2003 campaign.

Prior to his stint at Dartmouth, Sowell spent eight years as an assistant at Georgetown University. During his tenure, the Hoyas grew from an also-ran to a national contender in Division I college lacrosse, participating in the 1997 and 1998 NCAA Tournaments. In 1998, the Hoyas -- who finished 10-5 overall -- advanced to the quarterfinal round before falling to top-seeded Loyola, 12-11.

Sowell also spent five years with the Baltimore Thunder of the Major Indoor Lacrosse League (MILL), where he was a three-time first-team All-Pro.

Prior to Georgetown, Sowell spent three years (1988-91) as head coach of boys' lacrosse at Mount St. Albans High School in Washington, D.C. In addition, he was an assistant football coach. His coaching career began at Washington College in Chestertown, Md., where he helped lead the Shoremen to the NCAA Division III national title game in 1986 and the semifinal round in 1987.

In addition to boasting an impressive coaching resume, Sowell can also be proud of a storied playing career at all levels. He began his college career in 1982 at the State University of New York in Cobleskill, but transferred to Washington College prior to the 1984 season. His two years with the Shoremen were certainly memorable, as he was the 1985 Division III National Midfielder of the Year as well as a two-time All-America. Washington advanced to the NCAA Division III national championship game twice. As a senior, Sowell was team captain, earned the Dr. Charles B. Clark MVP Award and was named Best Athlete by the Washington College Athletic Council. Sowell graduated in 1986 with a bachelor's degree in history. He was inducted into the Washington College Hall of Fame on October 21, 2000.

Sowell and his wife, Catherine, live in Lebanon, N.H. with their daughter Kennady.

He will be formally introduced at a press conference on the St. Johns campus following the Fourth of July.