New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz Director of Athletics, Wellness and Recreation Renee Bostic announced the hiring of Chris Biddle as the new head women's lacrosse coach Wednesday.
 
"We are excited to have Chris on board as our next head coach," said Bostic. "His commitment to the game and our student athletes is evident in everything that he does. Looking forward to the seeing our program and student-athletes flourish under his direction." 

Biddle spent the last two seasons on staff for incumbent head coach Randy Vite who was at the helm for four seasons, becoming the winningest coach in program history, before stepping down this summer to take the head role at Division II Thomas Jefferson University.
 
Biddle becomes the eighth head coach for the Hawks Women's Lacrosse program since its inception in 1998.
 
"What excites me about SUNY New Paltz is the chance to lead a program at an institution that values both academic and athletic excellence," Biddle said. "This campus, community, and conference demand commitment and resilience, and that aligns closely with how I coach. I'm energized by the opportunity to develop players on and off the field, create an identity that our athletes and campus are proud of, and help elevate this program to where it's capable of being highly competitive in the SUNYAC and NJAC."
 
Over the course of his two seasons with the Hawks, Biddle aided Vite in two historic seasons that have been the winningest in program history.
 
The 2024 season was special for SUNY New Paltz, as the team finished a program-best 14-4 overall and 6-3 in the SUNYAC, clinching the highest seed in program history at No. 3 where they then defeated Oneonta to secure the team's first playoff victory and conference semifinal appearance. The Hawks went on to land in the top 7 of the IWLCA Region III rankings for the first time with a multitude of players setting single season records. As a result, Vite and Biddle were named SUNYAC Coaching Staff of the Year.
 
The following season, SUNY New Paltz finished 13-5 overall to secure its second-straight double-digit win season, also a program first, through its hardest non-conference schedule the program has had. The team went 7-2 in the SUNYAC to set a new conference win mark and went on to roll Fredonia, 20-5 in the quarterfinal round to clinch their second-straight SUNYAC Semifinal appearance. The season was highlighted, however, by the team's first ever win over a nationally ranked opponent as they defeated No. 19 Colorado College, 8-7 in Colorado Springs, Colorado to put the nation on note.
 
Biddle, along with serving as the lead assistant during his tenure with the Hawks, specialized in goalies and helped his group establish a program-best 7.03 goals-against average in 2024 and 7.67 goals-against-average in 2025 with then sophomore Piper Mascaros becoming the team's first All-SUNYAC goalie selection.
 
After Vite stepped down following the Hawks' 2025 run, Biddle resumed the interim role through this past fall as the program looked to continue building toward a conference championship title and most notably their first and last chance to hoist a SUNYAC trophy before SUNY New Paltz transitions into the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) next season.
 
"I see something special continuing to build at SUNY New Paltz," Biddle said. "This group has embraced a culture of pride, worth ethic, championship mindset and competitiveness, and that foundation gives us real momentum heading into the spring. The commitment I see every day, combined with the talent returning and continuing to develop, tells me our best lacrosse is still in front of us. This program isn't just improving — it's rising, and I truly believe we're building something that will continue to compete in the SUNYAC/NJAC and sustain success at New Paltz."
 
Prior to New Paltz, Biddle has a decorated and diversified resume. He served in the military as a U.S Army National Guard for three years before joining the New York City Police Department as a sergeant in the Counterterrorism Division for 22 years. He then transitioned to higher education, becoming an adjunct professor at Stevenson University in Maryland and Western Connecticut State in Danbury, Connecticut. Biddle then began his coaching career in lacrosse in 2012 where he helped found Cage Sentinels Lacrosse Goalie Training Group, serving as the director and senior trainer before doing the same at Game Time Performance-Tristate based in New Hampton, NY in 2018 where he still works today.
 
He began as the assistant coach and goalie coach at local Minisink Valley High School on staff for the Warriors from 2015 to 2023 where the team went 69-16 overall with eight playoff appearances, three division titles, five section championship appearances with three Section IX titles and one regional final appearance. Biddle then joined Lady Reign Girls Lacrosse Club in 2022, where he currently serves as co-director, overseeing all girl's programs while also heading the 2029-30 girls team.
 
"What I learned over the past three seasons working with this team is that a strong, intentional culture is the foundation of winning environment — both on and off the field," Biddle said as the Hawks look ahead to their 2026 campaign where they return the bulk of their roster. "This remarkable group of athletes compete, push, fight and support one another every day, and that unity has become the hallmark of their success. When culture comes first, performance follows, and that commitment ultimately leads to success on every level, on the field and beyond."
 
SUNY New Paltz begins its 2026 campaign Feb. 21 on the road at Utica before holding its home opener against perennial regional opponent Skidmore College Feb. 28 on North Turf Field at 11 a.m.
 
"I am most looking forward to pushing this team to new levels of performance, while embracing the challenge of pride of competing in our final season in the SUNYAC," he continued. "This year is an opportunity to leave a lasting mark on the conference while building momentum, confidence, and standards that will carry us into the NJAC in 2027 prepared, united and ready to compete at a high level from day one."
 

********************
To stay up to date with everything #NPHawks be sure to follow us on Twitter at @nphawks, Instagram and Facebook at @newpaltzhawks, and subscribe to our Youtube channel, New Paltz Hawks.