Knighthawks Name Tim Soudan Assistant General Manager
Rochester Knighthawks General Manager Regy Thorpe announced today the first two members of his staff for the 2009 National Lacrosse League season. The Knighthawks named former standout Tim Soudan as the team's assistant general manager and signed longtime assistant coach Tom Cincebox as the director of player personnel.
"I have known Tim for most of my lacrosse life. He was a great leader on and off the field for the Rochester Knighthawks organization. A great two-way, old school, throw-back player that brought his grit and passion for the game like no one else I have ever played with," said Thorpe. "He was my first choice and I am honored that he has accepted to join our management team.
"His knowledge, commitment and vision of what it takes to win are second to none. I am excited to have him on our team to help our organization achieve its goals. Our vision for the Knighthawks is exactly what he brought to the team while his was here: tough, conditioned, hardworking and gritty. He will also help us implement many community programs through out Rochester and its surrounding areas to help create a bridge from our organization to the people and business in our community."
"I had a great conversation with Regy about the pride and passion that we brought to the Rochester Knighthawks over the years. We have a great amount of respect for one another on and off the field," said Soudan. "Working together in this capacity is an exciting opportunity for me. It feels great to be back involved with the team and community that became such a major part of my life over 11 seasons. I have missed it. I am thrilled, just thrilled!"
Soudan played 15 seasons of professional indoor lacrosse - 11 of those with the hometown Knighthawks. The Fairport native played with the Knighthawks from the team's inception in 1995 to 2005. He ranks tied for third in team history in games played (125) and tied for fourth in goals (156). The former forward also remains sixth in assists (161) and points (317). In 1996, he was honored as the team's Seventh Man for his hard work and dedication. He was a member of the 1997 MILL Championship team and a key component in the team's string of 11 playoff appearances in 11 seasons. In 2005, he was named to the Knighthawks' 10th Anniversary Team.
He began his professional career in 1991 with the New England Blazers of the Major Indoor Lacrosse League. He would play three more seasons with the Boston Blazers, earning league All-Pro honors in 1994. In 1995, he returned home to play for the expansion Knighthawks. He spent eight seasons with the K-Hawks and was named to the franchise's All-Time Team in 2003-04. Further, he served as one of the K-Hawks' alternate captains in 2002-03. His best offensive season was in 2000, when he recorded 29 goals and 19 assists in 12 games.
In college, he was a two-time All-American at the University of Massachusetts. In 1994 and 1998, he played for Team USA and won the World Lacrosse Championship. He also played for Team USA in the 2002 Heritage Cup against Team Canada. In addition, Soudan played for the Rochester Rattlers of Major League Lacrosse from 2001-03.
He resides in Fairport with his wife, Colleen, and kids Kaitlyn and Tanner. Tim works as a physical education teacher for Fairport Central Schools and also works as an assistant lacrosse coach at Fairport High School.
Cincebox enters his 14th season with the Rochester Knighthawks, but this season he will assume the title of director of player personnel. For the past 13 seasons, he was one of the Knighthawks' assistant coaches, having joined the team in its second year of existence: 1996. He is the only Knighthawks coach to work on both championship teams (1997 and 2007).
"I am very excited to be starting my 14th season in this new capacity," said Cincebox.
Cincebox also has one coaching win to his credit. On February 28, 1998, he was forced to lead the team against the first place Baltimore Thunder due to league-wide immigration problems that prevented Canadian born coaches and players from participating. Thus, the Knighthawks hit the floor without Head Coach Paul Day and a handful of players. That night, Cincebox -- with a team of recently signed players and American-born players -- pulled off one of the biggest upsets in team history, winning 15-14.
Cincebox played his college lacrosse at Nazareth from 1985-89 and was honored with the 1989 Nazareth Lacrosse Block "N" Award. After graduating, he worked as an assistant coach for the Golden Flyers from 1993-96 and was Chairman of the Nazareth Sports Hall of Fame. Further, he founded the Rochester Lacrosse Club and is active in the Rochester Chapter of the Lacrosse Foundation. In 1998, he was the recipient of the Monroe County Section V Lacrosse Man of the Year Award.
Tom resides in Pittsford with his wife, Becky; daughters Brooke, Courtney and Grace, and son, Thomas. He is currently employed as a medical consultant for Synthes Spine. Tom is also active with Pittsford Youth Football (assistant coach), Pittsford Youth Lacrosse and the Boy Scouts of America.