Intro To NCC
Karl Hedstrom was named Head Coach of the NCC Lacrosse team in the fall of 2023. Prior to being named Head Coach, Coach Hedstrom served as NCC Assistant coach from 2018-2023, as well has from 2006-2007 working with former Head Coaches John Savage and National Lacrosse Hall of Fame Coach Richard Speckmann. As an assistant Coach Hedstrom has won 2 National Championships including back-to-back wins in 2022 and 2023.
College and High School Coaching:
Before being named head coach at NCC, Coach Hedstrom has served many roles as an assistant coach at NCC including the goalie coach and both Assistant Offensive and Defensive Coordinators. Prior to NCC Coach Hedstrom was an Assistant Coach at the NCAA Division II Lacrosse Program New York Institute of Technology from 2009-2016. For his efforts during the 2012 season, Hedstrom was recognized by the Intercollegiate Men's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IMLCA) as the 2012 Outstanding Assistant Coach of the Year for NCAA Division II. In his first season (2009), Hedstrom directed NYIT to a No. 9 national ranking in scoring defense. Since then, he has coached several All Americans, an ECC Goalkeeper of the Year in Billy McGee, and many All-East Coast Conference selections including Pete Raab, who led the nation in 2010 in face-off percentage (.713), and McGee, who led the nation in 2012 in save percentage (.653). Hedstrom comes to NYIT after serving as the assistant varsity coach at Garden City High School in 2008. As the defensive coordinator, Hedstrom helped Garden City to the Nassau County Class B Championship, coaching two defensive All-Americans, two All-Nassau County Defenders and an All-Nassau County Goalkeeper. In 2007 Hedstrom was hired as an assistant coach at Nassau Community College. That season, Nassau C.C. finished as the National Junior College Athletic Association national runners-up. Hedstrom also spent the 2005 and 2006 seasons at the United States Merchant Marine Academy as the defensive coordinator and goalie coach. In those two seasons, Hedstrom helped USMMA steer a dramatic turnaround as the team went from a 4-10 record in 2004 to a 12-5 record in 2006. Prior to heading into the college ranks, Hedstrom got his start at Island Trees High School in 1999 as an assistant coach, where he remained for five seasons. In 2004, he became the defensive coordinator at Seaford High School, where he helped produce two all-county defensive players and an all-county goalkeeper.
Playing Career
Coach Hedstrom attended Hofstra University, where he was a member of the lacrosse team from 1993 through 1997. At Hofstra he was a member of three NCAA Division I lacrosse playoff teams, Hofstra’s first NCAA quarterfinalist team and was awarded with the Steve Carlin Award in 1997 (Hofstra lacrosse’s Unsung Hero award). Hedstrom graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and received his Master of Arts degree in 1999 from Hofstra.
Personal
A Native of Hempstead NY, Hedstrom Lettered in three Varsity sports at Uniondale HS, including Soccer Swimming and Lacrosse. Hedstrom was awarded the 1992 Uniondale High School Most Outstanding Athlete Award and was also a two-time member of the Long Island Empire State Team for Water Polo that won the 1990 Silver Medal. A resident of Huntington Station, N.Y., Hedstrom has been a tenured fine arts educator at Island Trees High School since 2000. Hedstrom and his wife, Melissa, have a two Children, Ava, and Addison.
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