In August of 2009, Stevens Institute of Technology Director of Athletics Russell Rogers announced the hiring of Gene Peluso as the 19th men’s lacrosse coach in the program’s illustrious 128-year history. Peluso, who began coaching in 1992 after a decorated playing career at Nazareth College, was previously the head coach at Rochester Institute of Technology.
In 2013, the Ducks earned an at large bid to the NCAA Division III Men’s Lacrosse Championship and advanced to its third consecutive second round appearance in the tournament. Stevens posted a 13-5 record on the season with four victories against NCAA participants (Montclair State University - twice, Eastern Connecticut State University and Springfield College). The Ducks were ranked as high as No. 4 in the United State Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Top 20 Poll and placed seven student-athletes on Empire 8 All-Conference Teams.
Seniors Nicolas Philippi, Rich Dupras and Harrison Dorne were all honored as USILA All-Americans in 2013, while Philippi became the second Duck to take home first-team honors. Philippi and Dorne were also USILA Scholar All-Americans in their final seasons at Castle Point. The trio would go on to play in the USILA North-South All-Star Game where they were mentored by Peluso and the rest of his coaching staff in a 12-11 overtime victory.
Philippi wrapped up postseason awards for Stevens in 2013, as he was named Coyne’s Player of the Year by LaxMagazine.com.
The 2012 season was arguably the greatest season in Stevens history. The Ducks compiled a school-record 17 victories en route to their first-ever Empire 8 Conference Title and a second round trip to the NCAA Division III Championship. For the team's success, Peluso was named Empire 8 Conference Coach of the Year. Throughout the 20-game slate, Stevens notched key victories over Springfield (twice) (11-5 & 13-12), Endicott College (8-7), Eastern Connecticut State (14-10) and posted a 6-1 conference record. In the Empire 8 tournament, the Ducks topped St. John Fisher College, 11-5, in the semifinals, and the captured the crown with a 10-7 victory over Ithaca College.
Postseason accolades for the squad were equally as impressive in 2012, as eight member of the team earned all-conference recognition. Six Ducks were first-team members, including Rich Dupras, who also garnered the conference's top player award. Dupras also became the program's first USILA First-Team All-America, while five others landed on the third or honorable mention teams. Matt Marks '12 concluded postseason recognition for the team by earning a spot in the USILA North-South All-Star game.
His second year as head coach at Castle Point witnessed even greater success than the first for Peluso. The Ducks lacrosse squad finished in the top-10 nationally in the USILA Division III Coaches Poll, ranked eighth to end the year (and as high as No. 4) after a 16-3 (7-1 Empire 8) campaign and a second round visit to the NCAA tournament after receiving an at-large bid. The 16 wins ties a school-record after Stevens began the season 12-0, with its closest game coming by way of a 13-10 victory over then No. 10 Lynchburg College. The Ducks also had signature wins over Top-20 teams including; Endicott College, Springfield, St John Fisher College and Nazareth College. At one point in the 2011 season, Stevens strung together four-straight games where the team netted over 20 goals in each of the four contests.
Peluso’s 2011 squad earned Rookie of the Year honors in the Empire 8 and three other players made it on the All-American team. Christian Saley was named the top rookie in the conference for his play at the attack position, while Brandon Faubert and Zach McHugh were named Third-Team All-Americans and were also Scholar All-Americans in the 2011 season. Chris Laurita found a spot as an All-American on the Honorable Mention list.
In his four years at the helm, Peluso has posted a 55-17 overall record, produced 14 USILA All-Americans, eight USILA Academic All-Americans, eight North South participants and 29 All-Empire 8 honorees.
Prior to Stevens, Peluso led the Rochester Institute of Technology men’s lacrosse program to a top-five ranking in NCAA Division III and amassed an 88-45 overall record. During his tenure with the Tigers, Peluso helped develop 21 United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) All-Americans, 60 All-Empire 8 honorees, 12 North-South All-Star Game participants, two Empire 8 Rookies of the Year, the 2004 and 2006 Empire 8 Players of the Year, three Verizon Academic All-Americans, and seven USILA Academic All-Americans. He was selected to coach the North squad in the USILA North/South game in 2008 and currently serves on the NCAA All-American Committee for Division III Lacrosse.
Before RIT, Peluso was the architect of the Lycoming College men’s lacrosse program, coaching the first-ever team. During his time at Lycoming, he directed the Warriors to a 41-30 record, including a 32-13 mark over his final three seasons. In 2001, Peluso led Lycoming to its most successful season with an 11-3 record en route to the program’s first-ever regular season Middle Atlantic Conference Championship. Lycoming finished 12-4 overall after placing second in the conference tournament and earned a USILA Top-25 national ranking.
In 2011, Peluso recorded his 150th career coaching victory and has an overall mark of 154-84 in 15 seasons as a head coach. During his tenure at Lycoming, Peluso coached two North-South participants, four All-Americans, and 33 all-conference award winners. He was also the 1999 MAC Coach of the Year and chairperson for the MAC Lacrosse Committee from 1999 to 2001. Peluso served on the USILA All-American Committee from 1998 to 2001 and the USILA Ranking Committee from 1999 to 2001.
He began his coaching career at McQuaid Jesuit High School in 1992 and remained there for two seasons before beginning his collegiate coaching career at Drew University in Madison, N.J., where he served as an assistant coach from 1994 to 1996.
A native of Baldwin (Long Island),N.Y., Peluso enjoyed an accomplished playing career at Nazareth, leading the Golden Flyers to the NCAA Division III semifinals in his final season.
Peluso resides in Branchburg, N.J. with his wife Beth and two children, daughter Stefani and son Patrick.
