True Lacrosse welcomes Ricky Fried as new director of the True Girls National program

With an impressive resume of successfully guiding top collegiate programs, Fried will be an invaluable asset to the growing True Girls National program.

TRUE NATIONAL PROGRAM — True Lacrosse welcomes Ricky Fried as new director of the True Girls National program. With an impressive resume of successfully guiding top collegiate programs, Fried will be an invaluable asset to the growing True Girls National program.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ricky Fried as our new National Program director,” said Suzanne Rich, president of True Lacrosse Girls. “With a wealth of knowledge in the game of lacrosse and exceptional strength in networking, building relationships, and fostering player culture, Ricky’s leadership aligns perfectly with our mission. We are confident that under his guidance, we will continue to expand our footprint, elevate our program, and inspire and develop the next generation of athletes across the nation.”

Fried joins True Girls National’s leadership team after 20 years at the helm of the Georgetown University women’s lacrosse program and two years as an assistant with the Hoyas. During his two decades as head coach, Fried achieved a 196-156 overall record and a 94-31 record in Big East regular season games. In 2014, Fried became the winningest coach in program history. Under his guidance, Georgetown earned seven Big East regular season titles, saw seven trips to the Big East championship game – winning the championship in 2010 and 2019 – and advanced to the NCAA tournament nine times, reaching the quarterfinals twice.

Fried coached 23 All-Americans, a National Goalie of the Year, two Big East Attackers of the Year, four Midfielders of the Year, and five Defensive Players of the Year, along with 103 All-Big East first and second team selections. In 2009 and 2010, he and his staff won the Big East Staff of the Year.

Prior to Georgetown, Fried was an assistant coach at Johns Hopkins University for nine seasons. While there, Fried also served as the recruiting coordinator and helped build Hopkins into a Division 1 Top 20 program after aiding in the transition from a strong Division 3 program. Fried came to Hopkins following two years as an assistant coach at the Gilman School and serving a season as an assistant at his alma mater.

From 2006-2009, Fried served as an assistant coach for the US Women’s Lacrosse Elite Team; he was named head coach in 2009, a position he held until 2017 after leading Team USA to an undefeated gold medal in 2013 at the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Cup in Ontario. It was his second World Cup gold after winning in the summer of 2009 as an assistant. He won his final two gold medals in the summer of 2017 at the FIL World Cup in Guildford, England and the World Games in Wroclaw, Poland. Fried also served as head coach of the WPLL’s Philadelphia Fire for two seasons.

As a player, Fried attended the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where he was an All-American midfielder; as a senior, Fried was captain of the men’s lacrosse team and was named Most Valuable Player and won the team’s leadership award. He went on to play professionally with the Philadelphia Wings (1989-1992, 1997) and the Baltimore Thunder (1993-1994).

Fried has been active in the women’s lacrosse community in many roles, He has served as vice-president and on the board of directors of the IWLCA; he was chair of the Regional All-American Committee, and a member of the Tewaaraton Trophy Committee. He is also the recipient of the Diane Geppi-Aikens Memorial Award, recognizing lifetime achievement to the game of women’s lacrosse.

Fried was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Potomac Chapter of USA Lacrosse in February of 2023. He currently resides in Columbia, Maryland with his wife, Halyna, and their children, Jack (20) and Paige (19). He is looking forward to this next chapter in his coaching career.

“I would like to thank Jake Deane, Mike Gabel, and Suzanne Rich for this opportunity,” Fried said. “I am excited to learn the club side of the game and help grow the True National brand. I am looking forward to working with the players, families, and the entire True staff!”

Erin Wellner-Hellmold, former director of True National, will remain with True Lacrosse but shifting her focus to her role and responsibilities as vice-president of True Lacrosse girls. She is confident Fried’s many years of experience will ensure a smooth and successful transition. “I am truly grateful for the time I have spent with our National players and their families,” she said. “While I shift my focus to leadership and management at True Lacrosse, I will remain actively involved in the True National program, supporting Ricky as he steps into this exciting role. I have known Ricky for nearly 30 years and have had the privilege of being both coached by and alongside him. His deep knowledge of the women’s game, combined with his genuine passion for his players – both as people and athletes – has left a lasting impact on the entire lacrosse community. Ricky possesses a unique ability to inspire and positively influence the players he coaches.”

Hellmold continued, “The True Lacrosse community stands to gain immensely from Ricky’s guidance, expertise, and unwavering love for the game. I am thrilled to reunite with him and support his efforts as he takes on this role of leading our True National program!”