Springfield, Mass. – December 16, 2024 – Entering his 42nd season at the helm of Springfield College's men's lacrosse program, Keith Bugbee has announced that he will retire at the conclusion of the 2025 campaign.

"It is with tremendous gratitude that I am announcing my retirement from Springfield College following this upcoming season.  I feel blessed that Springfield College took a chance on a 25-year old coach over 40 years ago. I have been so fortunate to spend my entire coaching career at Springfield College with the greatest student-athletes and colleagues," said Bugbee. "This has been a lifestyle for me and my family and I'm so thankful to all those who have shown up for me during my career.  It has been the privilege of a lifetime."

Under Bugbee's leadership, the Springfield College men's lacrosse program became established as one of the top programs in the country.  During his tenure, Springfield College has produced an overall record of 422-230, good for a winning percentage of .647.

Bugbee's teams have competed in 34 postseason tournaments, including 24 NCAA Tournaments, won the NCAA Division II National Championship in 1994, while 51 of his student-athletes have received All-America recognition.  At one-point in his career, Bugbee led Springfield to 12-straight conference titles and a 57 conference-game winning streak.  His 422 wins is third most among active men's lacrosse coaches in the country and the fifth most in the history of the sport.

"Coach Bugbee's leaves an indelible mark on the Springfield College campus.  In his forty plus year tenure as our head men's lacrosse coach, his impact reaches far beyond his success on the field including a National Championship and multiple NCAA appearances.  For over four decades Coach Bugbee helped shape the future of hundreds of our men's lacrosse student-athletes as well as countless others through his teacher-coach role. His coaching was infused with a unique approach built on kindness and respect that helped future generations understand the value of Showing Up.  I am grateful for his long-standing commitment to Springfield College and I wish Coach the best in his retirement," said Springfield College Director of Athletics, Craig Poisson.

Bugbee was named USILA Division II Coach of the Year in 1994 and 1995 and earned Pilgrim League Coach of the Year Honors in 2003 and 2013.  He was inducted into the New England Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2002 and, in 2019, was chosen as the NEILA Walter Alessi Man of the Year and the USILA Frenchy Julien Service Award. During the 2021-22 academic year, he served as the Distinguished Professor of Humanics at Springfield College and was selected for the IMLCA's Lifetime Service Award in 2022.

In 2019, Bugbee became just the fifth coach in the history of collegiate men's lacrosse to capture 400 victories, and the only to ever win his first 400 games at just one institution.   In 2011, Bugbee pushed his win total to 301 as he passed legendary coach Dick Garber for the most wins in New England Lacrosse history.  

Bugbee is a 1979 graduate of Keene State (N.H.) College where he lettered in lacrosse and soccer while earning his bachelor's degree in physical education. He received his master's degree in physical education from Springfield College.

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