The St. Lawrence University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics & Recreation has realigned the athletic administrative staff, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Franco Bari announced on April 2, 2025. 

"The goal of the administrative staff realignment is to not only enhance our efforts to support the experiences of our committed student-athletes, but to also effectively provide necessary resources for our dedicated coaches, while striving for competitive excellence and adding to the pursuits of cultivating an environment of success for all," said Bari.  

"As we build upon a strong foundation which will enable us to launch our Athletics Strategic Plan initiatives, I am confident that we are taking another positive step forward to boost our efforts while continuing to build future momentum."   

The recent realignment includes the hiring of Mike Gugin as the Assistant Athletic Director for Internal Operations, Facilities & Events. Joining Gugin as a newly appointed member of the administrative staff is Mike Mahoney, assuming the role of Assistant Athletic Director for External Relations. The long-time member of the Saints Athletics community will remain as Head Men's Lacrosse Coach. Additionally, Brian Atkins will assume a new role within the department as the Associate Athletic Director for Health, Performance and Wellness.  

Mike Gugin – Assistant Athletic Director for Internal Operations, Facilities and Events 

Gugin joined St. Lawrence in 2021 and brings extensive experience as the former Coordinator of Hockey Operations. He previously served as a volunteer assistant coach for Lake Superior State men's hockey, contributing to the Lakers' 2021 WCHA Championship and NCAA East Regional Semifinal appearance. Before that, he held a graduate assistant position at Ohio University, earning his Master of Sport Science, Recreation, and Coaching. Gugin also gained valuable facilities and event management experience while overseeing hockey programs at Bird Ice Arena in Athens, Ohio. 

"Mike was a product of a DIII environment and gained valuable experience at the DI level," said Bari. "His path has provided him with the necessary tools to not only adapt to our co-divisional model, but to elevate our support for day-to-day operations as well as our game management model. Throughout the years we have experienced continued technological as well as logistical changes which Mike is prepared to take on, foster and expand upon." 

Mike Mahoney – Assistant Athletic Director for External Relations/Head Men's Lacrosse Coach 

Mahoney, now in his 28th season as Head Men's Lacrosse Coach, holds a career record of 299-127. His accolades include: 

• 2016 F. Morris Touchstone Division III National Coach of the Year 
• 2016 ECAC Metro/Upstate N.Y. Coach of the Year 
• Seven-time Liberty League Coach of the Year (1999, 2004, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2024) 
• Three-time St. Lawrence Bernie McKinnon Coach of the Year (2003, 2008, 2015) 

A North Country native, Mahoney earned his bachelor's degree from St. Lawrence, where he captained both the lacrosse and football teams and later obtained a master's degree from the University at Albany. 

"For several years, Mike has been a true ambassador for Saints Athletics," said Bari. "He is not only a proven coach, but he has also established key relationships throughout the campus community and in the North Country. The role of external relations requires the ability to build and maintain quality relationships and Mike is certainly positioned to do just that. We look forward to welcoming him to his new role which I believe he will adjust to seamlessly." 

Brian Atkins – Associate Athletic Director for Health, Performance and Wellness 

Atkins joined St. Lawrence in 2013 as Head Athletic Trainer before being promoted to Assistant Athletic Director in 2019. In addition to overseeing the athletic training room and strength & conditioning, he serves as the compliance manager for all Division III sports. Prior to St. Lawrence, Atkins spent four years as an assistant athletic trainer at Holy Cross, primarily working with the Division I men's hockey and football teams. He also gained experience as a graduate assistant at Cornell University, working with men's lacrosse and football. 

Atkins holds a bachelor's degree in athletic training from SUNY Cortland (2007) and a master's in exercise and sport sciences from Ithaca College (2009). 

"It is imperative for us as an athletic department to adapt to the changing landscape of college athletics while adhering to the needs of our student-athletes," said Bari. "This position will allow us to serve our student-athletes under a model that helps with their physical development and care, personal well-being and holistic growth. Brian has clearly provided sound direction in all these areas and has a clear understanding of this growing landscape".    

In addition, Nikki Williams will now serve as Associate Head Athletic Trainer, assuming additional administrative duties within the Littlejohn Athletic Training Center.

Each administrator begins their new role effective immediately, contributing to the broader enhancement of St. Lawrence Athletics & Recreation.