Marquette University Athletics
Woodward added to MLAX Staff; Roberts promoted and Artinian retained
7/11/2024 11:17:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
Most decorated player in MU men’s lacrosse history joins staff as assistant coach
MILWAUKEE – Four-time USILA All-American and PLL first round pick Mason Woodward joins the Marquette University men's lacrosse staff as an assistant coach, while Will Roberts has been promoted to defensive coordinator and Joey Artinian remains in his role as director of lacrosse operations, first-year head coach Jake Richard announced on Thursday.
"I am grateful to be surrounded by a group that has shown such passion and appreciation for Marquette University," Richard said. "It is a special place to go to school and play lacrosse, which I believe offers a transformational experience for our student-athletes. Will, Mason and Joey know and value that, and will play key roles for us moving forward."
Woodward recently concluded his collegiate career as Marquette's first four-time All-American, four-time team captain and all-time leader with 265 ground balls. He became the first MU player selected in the first round of the Premier Lacrosse League College Draft when the Utah Archers picked him with the eighth overall pick and is in the middle of his first season as a professional.
"Mason is one of the best defenders in the world and his commitment to Marquette over the years has been second to none," Richard said. "Mason has a special ability to make those around him better on and off the field. He embodies the values we hope to build upon and we are thrilled to keep him in Milwaukee."
Woodward completed the most-decorated playing career in program history this spring and immediately jumps into an assistant coaching role, like Richard's hire upon his graduation in the spring of 2016. In addition to his program ground ball record, Woodward ranks second in program history with 84 caused turnovers.
The native of Towson, Maryland utilized his additional year of eligibility this spring after earning his bachelor's degree in exercise physiology from MU in May 2023 with a 3.82 cumulative grade point average. This spring he earned a graduate certificate in sports leadership and is a four-time BIG EAST All-Academic Team selection. His final two seasons he earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors (2023 and 2024) and was inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma, honor society for Jesuit colleges and universities. He was also the winner of Marquette's McCahill Award in 2023, the highest honor awarded a MU student-athlete, recognizing achievement in athletics, academics and service.
Roberts was elevated on the MU coaching staff for the third time in as many years and will serve as the team's defensive coordinator in 2024-25. He was an assistant coach last season after joining the MU staff in 2022-23 as a volunteer assistant coach. In addition to working with the defensive group and specialty units, Roberts will serve as the team's recruiting coordinator.
"Working with Will these past two years has been a privilege," Richard said. "He has made me better as a man and coach. A man of high character and integrity with a commanding presence, Will is poised and ready to lead the group on the defensive end."
Roberts worked primarily with the faceoff specialists and goalies during his first two seasons at MU and turned the faceoff unit into one of the nation's top groups. The Golden Eagles ranked 11th nationally in faceoff winning percentage (.576) in 2024 and Luke Williams was ninth in the country at the conclusion of the regular season with a mark of .593, the best single-season mark in program history. Williams garnered the second All-BIG EAST honors of career in 2024, while redshirt freshman Adam Slager showed development under Roberts and posted a .558 mark at the dot in the first action of his career.
Roberts came to Marquette after two seasons at Holy Cross and one as the director of operations for the Lafayette men's lacrosse program. At Lafayette, he handled alumni relations, social media, special events, on-campus recruiting, camps and clinics, team logistics and analytics for games and practice.
Prior to his time at Lafayette, Roberts worked as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator at his alma mater, Clark University. Roberts was a four-year member of the Clark University lacrosse team and served as team captain as a senior. Â Roberts graduated with his bachelor's degree in management and a master's degree in professional communications from Clark in 2019.
Artinian will return for his third season as director of lacrosse operations in 2024-25.
"Joey and the whole Artinian family have been valuable integral members of the program since its inception," Richard said. "He has been a vital teammate and the continuity of keeping him on staff will be important to our success."
In his role, he manages the day-to-day operations of the team, as well as travel logistics for the season. He also oversees the student managerial staff and works with the program's budget.
He joined the Indianapolis Colts equipment staff as a seasonal intern upon graduation in the summer of 2022 before returning to Marquette in the fall.
Artinian was a team manager all four years of his undergraduate career and graduated in May of 2022 with a bachelor's degree in history and a minor in sociology. As a team manager, Artinian assisted the team with practice and game film needs, tracking game scores and player statistics, and worked with the day-to-day needs of the players and program.
Keep up with the Marquette men's lacrosse program through social media by following on X (@MarquetteMLax) and Instagram (@MarquetteMLax) and 'liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteMLax).
Â
"I am grateful to be surrounded by a group that has shown such passion and appreciation for Marquette University," Richard said. "It is a special place to go to school and play lacrosse, which I believe offers a transformational experience for our student-athletes. Will, Mason and Joey know and value that, and will play key roles for us moving forward."
Woodward recently concluded his collegiate career as Marquette's first four-time All-American, four-time team captain and all-time leader with 265 ground balls. He became the first MU player selected in the first round of the Premier Lacrosse League College Draft when the Utah Archers picked him with the eighth overall pick and is in the middle of his first season as a professional.
"Mason is one of the best defenders in the world and his commitment to Marquette over the years has been second to none," Richard said. "Mason has a special ability to make those around him better on and off the field. He embodies the values we hope to build upon and we are thrilled to keep him in Milwaukee."
Woodward completed the most-decorated playing career in program history this spring and immediately jumps into an assistant coaching role, like Richard's hire upon his graduation in the spring of 2016. In addition to his program ground ball record, Woodward ranks second in program history with 84 caused turnovers.
The native of Towson, Maryland utilized his additional year of eligibility this spring after earning his bachelor's degree in exercise physiology from MU in May 2023 with a 3.82 cumulative grade point average. This spring he earned a graduate certificate in sports leadership and is a four-time BIG EAST All-Academic Team selection. His final two seasons he earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors (2023 and 2024) and was inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma, honor society for Jesuit colleges and universities. He was also the winner of Marquette's McCahill Award in 2023, the highest honor awarded a MU student-athlete, recognizing achievement in athletics, academics and service.
Roberts was elevated on the MU coaching staff for the third time in as many years and will serve as the team's defensive coordinator in 2024-25. He was an assistant coach last season after joining the MU staff in 2022-23 as a volunteer assistant coach. In addition to working with the defensive group and specialty units, Roberts will serve as the team's recruiting coordinator.
"Working with Will these past two years has been a privilege," Richard said. "He has made me better as a man and coach. A man of high character and integrity with a commanding presence, Will is poised and ready to lead the group on the defensive end."
Roberts worked primarily with the faceoff specialists and goalies during his first two seasons at MU and turned the faceoff unit into one of the nation's top groups. The Golden Eagles ranked 11th nationally in faceoff winning percentage (.576) in 2024 and Luke Williams was ninth in the country at the conclusion of the regular season with a mark of .593, the best single-season mark in program history. Williams garnered the second All-BIG EAST honors of career in 2024, while redshirt freshman Adam Slager showed development under Roberts and posted a .558 mark at the dot in the first action of his career.
Roberts came to Marquette after two seasons at Holy Cross and one as the director of operations for the Lafayette men's lacrosse program. At Lafayette, he handled alumni relations, social media, special events, on-campus recruiting, camps and clinics, team logistics and analytics for games and practice.
Prior to his time at Lafayette, Roberts worked as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator at his alma mater, Clark University. Roberts was a four-year member of the Clark University lacrosse team and served as team captain as a senior. Â Roberts graduated with his bachelor's degree in management and a master's degree in professional communications from Clark in 2019.
Artinian will return for his third season as director of lacrosse operations in 2024-25.
"Joey and the whole Artinian family have been valuable integral members of the program since its inception," Richard said. "He has been a vital teammate and the continuity of keeping him on staff will be important to our success."
In his role, he manages the day-to-day operations of the team, as well as travel logistics for the season. He also oversees the student managerial staff and works with the program's budget.
He joined the Indianapolis Colts equipment staff as a seasonal intern upon graduation in the summer of 2022 before returning to Marquette in the fall.
Artinian was a team manager all four years of his undergraduate career and graduated in May of 2022 with a bachelor's degree in history and a minor in sociology. As a team manager, Artinian assisted the team with practice and game film needs, tracking game scores and player statistics, and worked with the day-to-day needs of the players and program.
Keep up with the Marquette men's lacrosse program through social media by following on X (@MarquetteMLax) and Instagram (@MarquetteMLax) and 'liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteMLax).
Â
Players Mentioned
HIGHLIGHTS: MLAX vs. Michigan
Saturday, February 07
2026 Marquette M Club Hall of Fame Speech: Noah Richard
Monday, January 12
2026 M Club Hall of Fame Halftime Ceremony
Sunday, January 11
Marquette falls to Georgetown in BIG EAST Semifinals | Highlights (May 1, 2025) | Men's Lacrosse
Friday, May 02