After nearly two decades on the sidelines and as a cornerstone of the Falcons’ athletic department, Fitchburg State University has announced the upcoming retirement of head women’s lacrosse coach and equipment and home game events manager Rick Terrio. Entering his 19th season this spring, Terrio leaves behind a program—and a campus—forever changed by his leadership, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to student-athlete success.
“Rick has been the ultimate team player,” said Fitchburg State University Director of Athletics and Recreation Matt Burke. “He never asked for the spotlight, he just always did the work. To us, Rick was more than a coach—he was a steady hand, a loyal friend, and a true embodiment of what it means to be a Falcon. We are going to miss his commitment to Fitchburg State, his sense of humor and his kindness more than words can say."
For nearly 20 years, Fitchburg State has been far more than a workplace for the 66-year-old Terrio—it has been his second home and his extended family.
“I love Fitchburg State because of the academics and the people here,” said Terrio.
Fitchburg State opened the lacrosse season with a bang, erupting for five goals in the fourth quarter for a 12-8 win at Wentworth on Feb. 18. The Falcons edged Saint Joseph (Conn.), 9-8, on Feb. 21 to improve to 2-0 – the first time since 2018 that the program has started with two straight victories.
The Falcons’ final home game and Senior Day is scheduled for Tuesday, April 21 at 6 p.m. against MASCAC foe Anna Maria at Elliot Field.
“I want to walk out of here with a winning season,” said Terrio, who will coach his 300th game when the regular season wraps up this spring.
Terrio is the architect of the women’s lacrosse program, which began in the 2007-08 season, and has been its only head coach.
When Terrio was hired to spearhead the Fitchburg State women’s lacrosse program, the university wasn’t just looking for a coach—it was looking for a builder. Retired Fitchburg State Athletic Director Sue Lauder, who recognized Terrio’s unique blend of enthusiasm and strategic insight, reflected on two decades of growth that have seen Terrio become a pillar of the Falcons' community.
For Lauder, Terrio’s legacy is defined by a deep-seated commitment to the "whole" student-athlete, ensuring they graduate as leaders both on and off the field.
“The first word that comes to mind when I think of Rick is 'caring,'” said Lauder. “Rick cares deeply about his family, his student-athletes, his colleagues, and his university. He cares about his student-athletes succeeding in all aspects of their lives, not just on the lacrosse field. After his student-athletes graduate, he is still in contact with them, and they stay connected to the program. His support goes beyond his own team—he does whatever he can to help the entire athletic department succeed."
Terrio still appreciates Lauder’s leadership in bringing him into the Fitchburg State family.
“Sue Lauder took a chance on me and here I am 19 years later, so hopefully she made the right decision,” said Terrio, who was also quick to thank his university support system, which includes Burke, President Donna Hodge, former President Bob Antonucci, Laura Piece, Bettiann Peura, Angela Marini, and athletic trainers Rebecca Shersnow and Hope Tula. “I think she did.”
In June of 2012, Terrio was also tabbed as the full-time equipment manager.
“It’s been wonderful and overwhelming the amount of people that I’ve touched who still stay in touch with me,” said Terrio. “I have great student workers; I love these kids. The ones I work with and those that played for me, nothing has been handed to them.”
Terrio said he takes a lot of pride in the fact that he’s been the only women’s lacrosse head coach in school history.
“It’s been great to tell everybody that anybody who has played lacrosse here played for me and nobody else,” said Terrio. “That’s about to change, but that’s great because some schools change coaches every other year.”
Ensuring a seamless transition for the women’s lacrosse program, Kayla Quinn has been named Terrio’s successor. Quinn, who currently leads the Falcons' field hockey program, is spending the 2026 spring season as a lacrosse assistant and recruiting coordinator before officially taking the helm after the season.
“I am honored and excited to be taking over the lacrosse program from coach Terrio,” said Quinn. “He has built a great foundation over the years, and I strive to continue building on the rituals and team culture that he established. I’m grateful for the example he has set and the standards he has upheld, and I look forward to working with our student-athletes to continue growing the program with the same commitment and passion. I plan to fill his shoes by focusing on developing not only skilled players, but also strong leaders who represent our program with integrity both on and off the field.”
Quinn said that Terrio has been a great mentor to her since she started at Fitchburg State five years ago.
“(Terrio) truly knows the ins and outs of everything and has always been a reliable source of guidance and support,” said Quinn. “While he will be deeply missed as a coach, I am so happy for Rick as he begins his retirement. He’s about to become a full-time grandpa, and a great one at that. I know he will continue to support me and this program as he starts this exciting new chapter in his life.”
Senior two-sport star Sophia Yates, who plays field hockey and lacrosse, said that she’s so grateful to learn and develop her game under Terrio for all four years.
“Playing for coach Terrio has been a really meaningful experience because he helped me realize that playing two sports didn’t hold me back; it made me stronger, more confident, and a better person,” said Yates. “I learned how to be a leader of multiple teams, and I’m grateful to him for pushing me to grow into the person I am today. What stands out most about coach Terrio as a coach and mentor is the way he has always been our number one supporter of our team and each player.
“When people look back on coach Terrio’s impact on the program, I think they’ll remember him being a Fitchburg State Falcon inside and out,” said Yates. “He truly embodied what it means to be a part of this school. He loves this place so much, and he built something really special here by creating a strong women's lacrosse team.”
With over 128 career victories and 46 All-Conference selections, Terrio fueled the Falcons to three consecutive playoff berths, along with the mentorship of Hall of Fame inductees Amanda Burns ’12 and Emily (Swan) Rejniak ’10. Yet, his most enduring impact lies in the "student-first" culture he commanded. A nine-time IWLCA Team Academic Award winner, Terrio fostered an environment where over a 3.20 team GPA was the standard, resulting in a staggering 175 MASCAC All-Academic honors during his tenure.
“I always thought if you had one player that you could impact each year, helping and guiding them through something, I did my job,” said Terrio. “I think if you went through my 175 players, you’ll find a good chunk of them really appreciated the stuff I’ve done.
“It’s not always about wins and losses because if you look at my career record – since Covid it’s taken a hit – but I think most of the players had a great experience,” said Terrio. “I’ve been really concerned about the losses the last couple of years, but as I reflect back I think about the great times they’ve had.”
Rick has been the ultimate team player. He never asked for the spotlight, he just always did the work. To us, Rick was more than a coach—he was a steady hand, a loyal friend, and a true embodiment of what it means to be a Falcon. We are going to miss his commitment to Fitchburg State, his sense of humor and his kindness more than words can say.
Burke said that Terrio’s tenure is defined by a relentless commitment to the whole student.
“He never looked at his players just as athletes; he saw them as future professionals,” said Burke. “His number of Academic All-Conference selections is no accident—it is the direct result of the culture of accountability and excellence he cultivated. While the career wins are impressive, his true victory is the generation of successful alumni who still consider him a lifelong mentor. Replacing his wins on the field will be a challenge, but replacing his heart for this university will be impossible."
Academics have always come first under Terrio’s leadership.
“I’d be disappointed if you talked to one player over my 20 years who said that I didn’t say academics came first,” said Terrio. “I’ve had girls miss games because of academics.”
Fitchburg State Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2024 member (Swan) Rejniak ‘10, ‘15, who was an outstanding athlete in both women’s soccer and lacrosse, was on the hiring committee when Terrio interviewed and eventually was tabbed as the first and only women’s lacrosse coach in the program’s history.
“Coach impacted me in many ways on and off the field,” said Rejniak, who played under Terrio from 2007-2010 and coached with him from 2012-2015. “As an educator and coach, he taught me the importance of maintaining strong relationships with players and students. He effectively fostered competition and high expectations, but remembered his players were humans who made mistakes and had lives beyond their sport, including jobs and school.
“He always worked with his athletes to ensure they were able to play lacrosse and maintain academic achievement,” said Rejniak. “Whether this meant completing clinicals for nursing students, practicums for education students and various other internships, coach Terrio never let us forget we were students before athletes. Coach also taught me that sometimes you just roll with the punches. During our inaugural year and the first few seasons we met many challenges, but Coach always remained positive and found a way to motivate his players.”
Rejniak said that the first year of the program the Falcons were a club program and had to recruit athletes on campus to play.
“The first year was an adventure,” said Rejniak. “We wrangled about 18 girls to play and taught them the rules of the game. Ashley Massa and I were named captain as we were the only players with experience. We practiced at odd hours our first few years in places such as Parkinson Gym and McKay Gym because basketball had the rights to the Rec Center and the field was not being plowed at that time.”
The team was launched as a formal NCAA sport in Spring 2008.
By the time it was Rejniak’s final season, Terrio had taken the team to the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance playoffs, an incredible turnaround in such a short period of time.
Terrio also led the program to a program-best 14 wins twice in 2014 and 2015, including being the first MASCAC team to defeat Bridgewater State in women's lacrosse.
“My buddies at other state schools were upset that it was me and not them that beat Bridgewater,” said Terrio, whose teams earned four career playoff wins (all against Salem State).
Rejniak said that Terrio was the most enthusiastic coach she had ever played for or coached with.
“When I tell you I think he might bleed green, I do honestly mean it,” said Rejniak. “As a player on his team, you know he cares about you and wants you to be successful. He instills a belief in the team-first and reminds his players how special it is to be a Falcon. He is the type of coach that keeps in touch with former players, attends their weddings, meets their children, and sends them text messages and emails to stay in touch. He cares deeply about his players and he cares deeply about Division 3 athletics and Fitchburg State. He is the biggest cheerleader for all athletes at the university and thrives off the competition and camaraderie of athletics.”
That Fitchburg State Green and Gold runs deep in Terrio’s veins.
“The kids who come to Fitchburg State – especially my lacrosse players – they get nothing handed to them; they have to earn it,” said Terrio. “They have to work to pay their bills. I don’t hand anything to them; they have to earn their playing time and they just work hard, kill it in the classroom and do it on and off the field. I find that for most sports here. I like working with blue-collar workers, nothing gets handed to them. This is why I love Fitchburg State.”
On campus, Terrio’s presence has been felt daily. Serving as the equipment manager and home game manager, Terrio is a silent engine behind the scenes of every Falcon home game, ensuring that all 17 varsity programs have the resources needed to compete. His role in the Recreation Center made him a familiar, supportive face for the entire student body, not just those on his roster.
Before and during his time at Fitchburg State, Terrio was a champion for lacrosse in Massachusetts. From directing North Middlesex Youth Lacrosse to coaching in the Bay State Games for 17 years (earning nine medals), he helped grow the sport from the grass-roots level up to the collegiate stage.
When the season ends and his career officially comes to a close, Terrio and his wife of 36 years, Laurie (Bowse) ‘84, will ride off into the sunset to their home in Townsend.
“I’m leaving Thursday, May 28, and Saturday, May 30 I’m flying to Saint John’s Newfoundland with my wife for a week to watch the icebergs float,” said Terrio. “I’ll be good through the first week and then I need both hips replaced. One needs to get done right away, so I’m hoping to get that done in June. The first summer might be a recovery period, which is OK so I’ll be good for the fall. I want to be here for football games and hockey games. I’ll be at a lot of events.”
If Terrio could huddle up and give one last pre-game speech to every athlete he’s coached, he’d speak right from the heart.
“I’d say that I gave my heart and soul to Fitchburg State and the lacrosse program,” said Terrio. “The losses piled up, but you came here, I supported your education, and I did everything possible for you to have a successful career here.”
Terrio will always bleed Green.