Piedmont College Athletics

Demorest, GA -- Peter Manderano, a veteran of seven seasons as a Georgia high school lacrosse coach, has been named the inaugural head lacrosse coach at Piedmont College as announced by the Department of Athletics.  Manderano begins his PC head coaching career fresh off a five year stint at Lassiter High School that garnered a state championship coupled with two state runner-up finishes.

"After an extensive national search with several fine candidates being interviewed for the position, Peter Manderano stood out as the right man to become the first lacrosse coach at Piedmont College," said Athletic Director John Dzik.  "Peter's outstanding lacrosse background and coaching ties in the sport throughout the state of Georgia make him the perfect candidate to lead our program as it embarks on a Division III lacrosse experience."

Manderano is no stranger to developing a beginning lacrosse program having served as the first boys’ lacrosse coach at Riverwood International Charter School in Sandy Springs, GA.  During his two years at Riverwood, he improved the Raiders from a debut season of 2-11 to a 7-9 follow up season in 2005. 

He then took the reins of the boys’ lacrosse program at Lassiter High School in Marietta, GA leading the Trojans to the 2006 Georgia High School Association state championship while being named the Coach of the Year by the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association.  His squads made a playoff appearance in each of his five seasons finishing as a state runner-up in 2007 and 2010 while making a semi-final appearance in 2009.

During his tenure at Lassiter, Manderano mentored three All-Americans while also tutoring multiple All-State players.  The three-time Cobb County Coach of the Year also developed three county Players of the Year throughout his five seasons as the head coach.  While guiding the Trojans, Manderano amassed an impressive overall record of 77-23 including a 13-4 playoff record good for a .765 post-season winning percentage.

“I am very excited to take on the head lacrosse coach position at Piedmont College and am looking forward to building a unique Division III lacrosse program for the Lions,” said Manderano after being appointed the first lacrosse coach in school history.  “I know that Piedmont is in a great position to begin a new athletic program, and I would like to thank President Ray Cleere and Athletic Director John Dzik for presenting this opportunity to me and my family.”

The New York native spent his high school playing days under longtime Fairport High School coaches Randy Garrett and Mike Torrelli.  During his time as a Red Raider, Manderano received three varsity letters while being honored as a All-County selection and leading his team to a section championship in 1996.

Manderano is a 2001 alumnus of Kennesaw State University with a degree in Social Science Education and is currently pursuing a masters in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment from Walden University.  As a dean’s list honoree at Kennesaw State, Manderano has spent nine years in secondary education in the state of Georgia while leading two different boys lacrosse programs during that time.

Coach Manderano married the former Leah Clancy in June, 2002.  The two reside in Woodstock, GA with their daughter, Kaitlyn (2).