POTSDAM, N.Y.—SUNY Potsdam men's lacrosse head coach Gill Conners has announced that Drew Gardner will be his assistant for the 2026 season. Gardner comes to Potsdam from Wheeling University in Wheeling, W.Va.
 
Gardner spent 2024-25 with the Division II Cardinals, serving as defensive coordinator and strength and conditioning coach. With Wheeling, he was responsible for designing defensive game plans, coaching defensive players' skills and designing training regimens for the preseason and offseason. Under his guidance, the Cardinals had the top ranked man-down defense in the nation, and two defensive players earned all-conference status. Last spring, Gardner helped the Cardinals earn a spot in the G-Mac Playoffs, defeating Davenport in the quarterfinals before falling to Seton Hill in the semis.
 
Gardner was a four-year starting goalie at Afred University. With the Saxons he had a record of 32-20, a 9.62 goals-against-average, .522 save percentage and 458 saves. Gardner ranks third on Alfred's all-time list for saves and G.A.A. and is eighth in save percentage.
 
The Whitney Point native received his degree in Criminal Justice Studies and Sociology from Alfred in 2018. He is currently working on his master's in Management.