WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (May 30, 2017) – William & Mary lacrosse assistant coach Mike Bedford was recently hired as head coach of the Philadelphia Force, one of four teams in the United Women's Lacrosse League (UWLX).
 
"We are pleased to have Mike with us on staff and be an ambassador for our brand and athletes," commented UWLX CEO Digit Murphy in a press release announcing his hiring. "At William & Mary Mike has been a great advocate for his athletes and has played in the men's pro space. He knows what it takes to help support and grow our young league."
 
Highlighting the Force's roster is fellow W&M assistant coach Kara Mupo, who was the UWLX's leading scorer during the league's inaugural season last summer. W&M head coach Hillary Fratzke also competes in the UWLX and is currently in her second season as a player with the Long Island Sound.
 
Bedford recently completed his first year on the Tribe's staff and served as the team's primary goalkeeping coach. Additionally, he was instrumental in both defensive and offensive strategy, while he also handled recruiting duties and served as the team's equipment liaison.
 
Bedford joined the Tribe staff last summer after serving as an assistant coach at Hofstra during the prior three seasons. During his tenure at HU, he helped the Pride post a perfect 6-0 conference record in 2015 en route to securing the Colonial Athletic Association regular season title.  
 
Prior to his stint at Hofstra, Bedford spent a season as an assistant coach with the men's program at Lenoir-Rhyne University where he served as the defensive coordinator and was responsible for creating and implementing defensive plans. He was also involved in recruiting, as well as scouting and game planning.
 
From 2011 to 2012 Bedford was an assistant coach and the defensive coordinator at Suffolk Community College in Selden, N.Y., where he had previously been a student-athlete for two seasons (2006 and 2007). While leading the defense, the Sharks finished as the regional runner-up and had the fifth-best defense in the NJCAA. As a player, he was a member of the 2006 team that reached the NJCAA National Championship game. Bedford served as team captain in 2007 and earned second team All-America honors, as well as first team all-region honors.
 
Bedford also has extensive club and high school coaching experience. He has worked in the Half Hollows Hills East School District as a lacrosse coach and served as an operations director with Dynamic Sports Marketing, working as a field director for various lacrosse camps, clinics and training sessions. In addition, he has worked with the Long Island Junior Lizards as a varsity assistant coach and with Team USA as an assistant to the equipment manager.
 
In addition to his playing career at Suffolk Community College, Bedford was a member of the 2009 National Champion LIU Post team. Professionally, he was a member of the Charlotte Copperheads in 2012 and the Chesapeake Bayhawks in 2010.
 
Bedford graduated with a degree in physical education from LIU Post in 2010.