OWINGS MILLS, Md. – After 22 years on the sidelines with the Mustangs, Assistant Men's Lacrosse Coach Tim Puls has announced his retirement, effective Friday.

"Tim Puls leaves behind more than a career at Stevenson University — he leaves a legacy of leadership, mentorship, and genuine care for the people around him," said Head Coach Paul Cantabene. "His impact can be seen not only in the growth of the university, but in the countless students, colleagues, and community members whose lives he helped shape. Retirement marks the close of an extraordinary chapter, but the influence Tim has made will continue to inspire Stevenson for years to come."

During his two decades at Stevenson, Puls helped guide the Mustangs to 14 NCAA Championship appearances, one NCAA National Championship, eight MAC Commonwealth titles, the 2010 CAC Championship, and the 2006 ECAC South Championship.

Throughout his tenure, Puls mentored numerous professional standouts, including Callum Robinson, who represented Team Australia at the World Lacrosse Championship and played professionally in Major League Lacrosse (MLL).

Working alongside Cantabene, Stevenson produced 11 USILA First Team All-Americans, 16 Second Team All-Americans, 14 Third Team All-Americans, and 61 Honorable Mention All-Americans. Steve Kazimer, Kyle Holechek, Evan Douglas, and Brett Hiken each earned national positional honors.

In the IMCLA, Dominic DeFazio was named IMCLA South Defensive Player of the Year, while 13 Mustangs garnered All-Region First Team honors and nine earned Second Team recognition.

Within the MAC Commonwealth, Stevenson players earned seven Offensive Player of the Year honors, three Defensive Player of the Year honors, three Midfielder of the Year honors, two Rookie of the Year honors, and two Specialist of the Year honors. The program also totaled 66 All-MAC Commonwealth First Team selections, 52 Second Team selections, and 22 Honorable Mention honors during Puls' tenure.

In 2009, Puls coordinated one of the nation's top defensive units, as Stevenson ranked 10th in Division III in scoring defense, allowing just 6.89 goals per game. That season, defenders Mike Simon and Evan Douglass earned All-CAC honors, with Simon also being named a Second Team All-American. In 2010, Simon was a member of the Major League Lacrosse champion Chesapeake Bayhawks.

Since Puls' arrival, the Mustangs ranked in the top one-third of Division III in scoring defense in five of his first six seasons. In 2008, Stevenson ranked 10th nationally in man-down defense, successfully killing nearly 86 percent of opponent opportunities.
Prior to Stevenson, Puls built a remarkable legacy at CCBC Essex, where he spent 22 seasons (1983–2003). He compiled a 213-90 career record, winning more than 71 percent of his games. Under his leadership, the Knights captured 15 Maryland Junior College Championships, 14 Region XX titles, and the 1991 NJCAA National Championship — becoming the first Maryland junior college to win the NJCAA title. CCBC Essex advanced to the NJCAA semifinals 14 times and finished as national runner-up six times.

Puls was named NJCAA National Coach of the Year in 1990 and 1995 and earned Maryland Junior College Coach of the Year honors 15 times, including eight consecutive years from 1988–95. He was also named McDonald's Challenge Cup Coach of the Year in 1983, was a finalist for a U.S. National Team coaching position in 2002, and served as head coach of both the NJCAA Region XX and NJCAA South All-Star teams.

A member of the U.S. Lacrosse Century Club for surpassing 200 career wins, Puls coached 71 NJCAA All-Americans and three NJCAA Players of the Year. Ten former players went on to compete professionally in the National Lacrosse League or Major League Lacrosse. Additionally, 30 of his players were named Scholar All-Americans, and five received the prestigious James A. Newpher Award, recognizing outstanding academic and athletic achievement at CCBC Essex.

Off the field, Puls served as president and publicity director of the NJCAA Lacrosse Coaches Association, director of the NJCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship in 1988, 1997, and 1998, chairman of the NJCAA All-America Selection Committee, and a member of the NJCAA National Tournament Format Committee.

Beyond the NJCAA, Puls contributed as a writer for Lacrosse Magazine, served as a panelist for both the United States Lacrosse Coaches Association and the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Coaches Association annual meetings, and worked as chief scout for the MLL's Baltimore Bayhawks in 2004 and 2005.