Men's Lacrosse

Men's Lacrosse: McGinnis Names two assistant coaches

Date: Sept. 11, 2007
Location: GRANVILLE

Denison University head men's lacrosse coach Matt McGinnis has named Jason Archbell and Joe Benson assistant coaches for the 2008 season.

Archbell comes to Denison from Kenyon College where he spent the last two seasons as assistant coach and defensive coordinator. Archbell will serve in a full-time capacity, also assisting with the Denison sports information department and teaching activities courses in the physical education department.

During his two seasons at Kenyon, the Lords posted a 23-6 record and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Prior to his coaching stint a Kenyon, Archbell spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Virginia Wesleyan where he was also in charge of the defense.

An All-American on defense as a senior at Hampden-Sydney in 2002, Archbell graduated with a bachelor of arts in economics. He was a four-year starter for the Tigers and helped them to three NCAA Tournament appearances while earning all-conference honors as a junior and a senior.

Benson comes to Denison after a collegiate lacrosse career at Johns Hopkins and Ohio State University. Benson was a four-year member of the Blue Jay lacrosse team and helped them to their first national championship in 18 years in 2005. The following season Benson was sidelined with a knee injury. He graduated from Hopkins with honors that spring and enrolled in Ohio State's Fisher College of Business MBA program.

In 2007, with one year of college eligibility remaining, Benson suited up for the Buckeyes and helped them to a 9-5 record and a second-place finish in the Greater Western Lacrosse League. Benson was fourth on the team in points with 17 (15 goals, 2 assists). He also set an OSU single-season record with seven extra-man goals.

Benson, who hails from Baltimore, Md., was a two-time player of the year as the quarterback of the McDonogh Eagles. He was also and All-American attackman for the Eagles in lacrosse and was featured in an April, 2002 issue of Sports Illustrated as the Old Spice Athlete of the Month.