On Monday, August 16, Hill School Director of Athletics Seth Eilberg P’22 ’23 ’25 announced Dave Page’s appointment as the School’s Barry McCarthy ’71 Head Coach of Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse. For the last two decades, Dave Page, a member of Hill’s class of 2005, has achieved excellence at every level of lacrosse as both a student-athlete and coach. Page joins The Hill from the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Pa.), where he has served as Assistant Coach of Men’s Lacrosse since 2018. Prior to UPenn, Dave spent eight years as Assistant Men’s Lacrosse Coach and Offensive Coordinator at Ursinus College (Collegeville, Pa).
Page replaces Mike Murphy, head coach of the program since 2018 who recently accepted a position as defensive coordinator at Penn State. Page is excited to build upon the already strong foundation of Hill Lacrosse with an experienced and talented coaching staff, including Chris Chirieleison ’85 P’18 ’19 ’21, Dave Mullen, Erik Mortensen P’24, and Ben Bala ’16.
“Since its inception in 1962, Hill Boys’ Lacrosse has prided itself as being one of the most competitive and respected teams in the region. As both an alumnus of the School and lacrosse program, Dave knows that important legacy well and, at the same time, is prepared to take Hill Lacrosse to the upper echelon of high school lacrosse in Pennsylvania and beyond,” says Eilberg. “Dave brings critical coaching experience, an extensive club, high school, and college recruiting network, and a deep, first-hand understanding of what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of lacrosse. Most importantly, Dave is first and foremost an educator, both on and off the field, personifying and actively teaching the values, character traits, and selflessness that he learned as a student at Hill. Our student-athletes are incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to play for Coach Page, and we are ecstatic about his return to The Hill.”
A Chester Springs, Pa. native, Page attended St. Andrew’s School (Middletown, Del.), where he earned USILA All-American honors as a goaltender. As a post graduate at The Hill, Page was named All-MAPL before matriculating to Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. While at Kenyon, Page was Defensive MVP and named to the NCAC All-League team three times and captained the Lords during his senior season.
Page began his coaching career at Ursinus College where he served as the offensive coordinator, goalie coach, and recruiting coordinator. During his time with the Bears, Page dramatically expanded recruiting efforts on both a local and national scale. After moving to UPenn’s staff in 2018, he first served as the program’s video coordinator before taking over responsibility for faceoff specialists and goalkeepers in 2019. He guided two of the greatest at those positions in program history. Page also coordinated UPenn’s Young Quakers Lacrosse program which provides mentorship and recreational activities for youth living in underserved urban areas of Philadelphia.
In addition to his college coaching experience in the college ranks, Page has been a mainstay in the club and summer camp lacrosse scene. He has served as a head coach and director with the Duke’s Lacrosse Club, The Goalie School/Nike Lacrosse Camps, and Lacrosse Evolution. Most recently, Page took over HEADstrong Quakers Lacrosse Club as director and general manager, growing the nationally-known program from three to nine teams in his first three years at the helm. In 2016, Page founded Foundation Lacrosse, providing private training to more than 150 of the nation’s top high school boys and girls goalkeepers on a year-round basis. In his leadership role with Hill Lacrosse, Page will operate club, training, and tournament experiences on the School’s campus, providing key player development and recruiting opportunities for current and prospective Hill student-athletes.
“I’m beyond honored and excited to take on the challenge of building on The Hill School’s rich lacrosse tradition, said Page. “Having spent my postgraduate year at Hill and five years in a boarding school environment, I know the huge impact a place like Hill has on the young men and women who spend their formative years there, and I can’t wait to play a part in that on and off the field. This is an unbelievable opportunity for my family and me to once again be a part of this unparalleled community.”
In addition to his coaching role, Page will leverage his broad administrative, camp, and program development experience as Hill’s inaugural Auxiliary Programs Coordinator, launching and overseeing the School’s re-imagined summer and auxiliary programs. He will also serve as an adviser to Hill’s postgraduate students and provide additional support in other areas of student life. He and his wife, Julia, will reside on campus with their young daughter, Evie.