Emmaus’ search for a new head boys lacrosse coach has come from the neighboring state of New Jersey.
Bob Kornicke, who spent the past four years as an assistant at powerhouse Hunterdon Central High School in Flemington, NJ, was approved last month by the East Penn School District board to take over the program.
The 52-year-old Palmer Township resident takes over for Stu Speicher who spent the last two years leading the Hornets. He becomes the program’s third head coach in the last five years and fifth since 2008.
For Kornicke, it’s an opportunity he’s very excited for.
“I’m walking on air. I still can’t believe that the opportunity was there for me and I was the guy chosen,” said Kornicke in a phone interview earlier this month. “It’s amazing. I want to do the best job possible for my players, the school, the students and everyone and make them proud of the things we do.”
Kornicke, who played on a Westfield High School, NJ team that made the state finals in his four years, has coaching stints at Hunterdon Central, NJ and prior to that he served as an assistant coach for six years at Easton High School under Brad Bachman. He also spent time as an assistant at Moravian University and at Immaculata High School, NJ.
Kornicke is a graduate of Westfield High School, NJ (’98) where he won two consecutive state championships. Following high school he was a member of a Rutgers University team that qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 1980 that finished the season top 10 nationally.
“I was very happy where I was but I still had the itch to be a head varsity coach and run my own program,” said Kornicke. “I know in the off-season there was a big turnover in the Lehigh Valley in the coaching carousel and I was thinking about jumping back in this area.
“It’s kinda weird how it all happened,” he added. “A friend of mine had mentioned to me that the Emmaus job had opened up and I was poking around online and found the job listing and had sent my resume to [Emmaus athletic director] Becky George and I said ‘I know I’m a little late to the party but if you are still looking for a head coach here’s my stuff’ and she contacted me right back.”
Emmaus went 13-7 overall a year ago losing to the eventual District XI champion Freedom in the semifinals. A total of 13 seniors were lost to graduation, but a number of key players return including junior Will Barber, senior Aidan Garrett and junior goalie Sam Rainford.
“Emmaus has always been a tough, well-prepared team,” said Kornicke. “They are fundamentally-sound and they’ve had a lot of success. Since their inception in 2008 they’ve won seven district titles.”
Kornicke did mention that he does have a staff of assistants in place pending approval by the school. He also noted that none of the former staff will be retained.The first official practice date for the upcoming season will be March 6. Emmaus’ first scrimmage is set for March 11 against Souderton.
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