Sung Earns Extension at Virginia Tech

Women's lacrosse coach John Sung to remain with Hokies through the 2022 season

June 1, 2017

BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech Director of Athletics Whit Babcock announced Thursday that head women’s lacrosse coach John Sung has agreed to an extension of his letter of appointment that will keep him in Blacksburg through the 2022 season.

Sung orchestrated a dramatic turnaround of fortunes in his initial season at the helm of the Virginia Tech lacrosse program. The Hokies surged to as high as No. 12 in the nation, the highest ranking ever attained by Tech. He also guided the squad to 11 victories, tying as the best single-season victory total in school history.

“Coach Sung and his staff instilled a renewed sense of confidence in our student-athletes and for our program,” Babcock said. “I know it was particularly satisfying for all of us to see a group of seniors who were so invested in our program to enjoy a winning season for the first time in their Tech careers. I’m extremely encouraged by the direction of our women’s lacrosse program under Coach Sung’s leadership.”

After inheriting a squad that hadn’t registered an ACC victory since 2013, Sung and the Hokies opened league play with an 18-12 upset of No. 17 Boston College and soon after recorded the program’s first-ever victory against Duke, defeating the No. 10 Blue Devils by an 11-6 margin in Durham to give Tech a pair of victories against ACC foes for the first time since 2004.

“I appreciate the continued trust and support that Whit and Virginia Tech Athletics have placed in me, our staff and our lacrosse program,” Sung said. “Our objective was to build a culture where our student-athletes could excel both academically and on the field. I’m grateful for the way our squad embraced our approach and our philosophy. We still have plenty of work to do, but I’m confident our team will build on our momentum and what we accomplished this year.”

Sung joined Virginia Tech in June 2016 after building the Winthrop University program from scratch. He oversaw the program’s rapid ascent as a regional powerhouse after beginning competition in 2013. In only the program’s third season in 2015, Sung led Winthrop to a 17-4 record as the Eagles qualified for the NCAA Tournament appearance after winning both the Big South regular-season and tournament titles. In 2016, Winthrop went 20-3, winning the Big South Tournament Championship and advancing to another NCAA Tournament berth.

“My wife Tina and our family have really fallen in love with Virginia Tech and the Blacksburg community,” Sung concluded. “This is a special place and we’re excited to put roots down here. We’re incredibly thankful for the way Hokie Nation has embraced us, and we’re proud to call Blacksburg our home.”

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