CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Troy Reh has a Premier Lacrosse League championship and an All-Star selection on his professional resume.

This past weekend, in fact, Reh and Chaos battled in overtime against Cannons in an ABC-televised game in Charlotte during Week 2 of the PLL season.

When he isn't playing professionally, LIU men's lacrosse benefits from Reh's knowledge and experience.

Reh will enter his third season as an assistant coach with the Sharks during the 2023-24 academic year.

"I have a stick in my hand constantly, whether I'm coaching or playing," said Reh, whose Chaos team plays in Columbus, Ohio, next weekend.

Reh, 27, has always wanted to coach.

After a standout collegiate career at UAlbany that included two All-America selections, Reh returned home to Rocky Point and volunteered at LIU. He then took a brief hiatus from the collegiate game, but remained involved in coaching by working at the youth level.
 
"The PLL does a really good job with its youth academy, so I've worked with them full time as well," Reh said.
 
During the 2021 PLL season, Reh won the championship with Chaos. A few months later, he was once again approached by LIU. He rejoined the Sharks, this time as defensive coordinator.
 
For Reh, being able to coach student-athletes only a few years younger than him —
while still playing — gives him a unique perspective.
 
"It's really easy to relate to our guys because I'm still doing it myself," Reh said.
 
Reh, a 2022 PLL All-Star, noted that when he makes mistakes on the field with Chaos, his LIU players will let him hear it.
 
"I'll tell them certain things not to do, but for some reason, I end up doing exactly that in a game," Reh said. "They'll shoot me a text or put it in the GroupMe chat when I mess up. So it's a cool dynamic."
 
That's all part of the culture the LIU coaching staff is building.
 
"It's a great asset to have a current professional player on staff," said head coach Jordan Levine, who will enter his second season in 2023-24. "Troy's achievements in the PLL are inspirational, and that is a benefit to our student-athletes."
 
Said Reh: "Jordan brings that positive vibe. Around the team, around the office and around the locker room, everyone wants to be a part of it. It's contagious. It doesn't feel like I'm going into work when I'm with this staff and players. I think it just breeds success in terms of your players when they are playing loose and having fun. They know that we care about them and want them to do well."

Reh is bullish on LIU's potential in 2024, when the Sharks play their second season in the MAAC.
 
"We've got a bunch of guys returning this year, and a lot of good freshmen coming in," Reh said. "I'm excited to get back after it in the fall and continue to build toward, hopefully, that MAAC championship."