Spencer Ford Named Director of Lacrosse at The St. James

Championship Coach and Former Pro Player to Oversee Lacrosse at The St. James

SPRINGFIELD, Va., March 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The St. James is proud to announce Spencer Ford as its new Director of Lacrosse, where he will oversee The St. James Academy, Boys Grassroots and Club programs. A former professional player and championship-winning general manager, Ford brings nearly two decades of experience in professional lacrosse to The St. James, where he will develop the next generation of lacrosse talent.

Ford joins The St. James following his recent appointment as General Manager of the Carolina Chaos in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). Ford's leadership in Major League Lacrosse (MLL) includes guiding the Chesapeake Bayhawks to three titles in six seasons as General Manager. He has also served in coaching and front-office roles with the Philadelphia Barrage and Atlanta Blaze, helping shape competitive rosters across the league.

Before transitioning into management, Ford played eight seasons as an attackman in MLL, competing for Los Angeles, Long Island, Rochester, and Washington (later Chesapeake). A three-time MLL All-Star, he twice led the league in assists and earned All-Pro honors in 2007.

"Spencer Ford's impact on the game is undeniable," said Elyse Graziano, Chief Sports Officer at The St. James. "His experience as a player, coach, and executive makes him uniquely qualified to develop the next generation of lacrosse talent. Under his leadership, our lacrosse program will provide elite training, competition, and a direct path for athletes to reach the collegiate and professional levels."

At The St. James, Ford will lead a comprehensive lacrosse program focused on player development at every level. Program highlights include:

• Elite coaching and training for all positions, including team coaching and private instruction
• Strength, conditioning, and agility training to enhance performance
• Intensive camps and specialized programs for year-round play
• State-of-the-art field house, including an indoor turf field, locker rooms, and viewing stands
• Comprehensive recovery resources, featuring Courted spa, cryotherapy, cold plunge, and compression therapy
• Nutrition support, with customized meal plans and supplementation guidance from Vim & Victor

Ford's leadership will provide a clear pathway from youth lacrosse to collegiate and professional levels. Through expert training, mentorship, and exposure, he can help players achieve long-term success.

"I'm honored to join The St. James and help build a world-class lacrosse program," said Ford. "Lacrosse has given me so much, and I'm passionate about developing young athletes who aspire to play at the next level. We're going to create an environment that fosters excellence, both on and off the field."

Spencer Ford joins newly appointed Director of Girls Academy Lacrosse Stephy Samaras along with Tamika Dudley (Girls Basketball), Maurice Hutton (Track & Field), Josh Taylor (Squash), Darryl Overton (Football) and Steve Bumbry (Baseball) as part of the distinguished team of Academy coaches.

Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year are now open atwww.thestjames.com/academy.

• Open House & Evaluation Day: Saturday, March 29, 1:00pm-4:00pm
• Evaluation Form Sign Up
• Shadow days for prospective students available by request
• Applications for the 2025-2026 school year are due by March 31

For more information, visit www.thestjames.comand follow @thestjames on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

About The St. James
The St. James Teams give elite athletes year-round training, professional coaching, and competition across multiple sports. With access to state-of-the-art facilities-including performance centers, full-size fields, and recovery spaces-athletes train in an environment built for high-level development. Expert-led programs focus on skill refinement, strength and conditioning, and competitive readiness, preparing players for collegiate athletics, professional careers, and long-term success.

Contact:
Kristine Friend
703-239-6870
[emailprotected]

SOURCE The St. James