Nearly 70 Princeton coaches and support staff gathered in Lambertville, N.J. as part of the fifth annual Tiger Coaches’ Summit on July 15th, engaging in conversation and the sharing of experiences, perspectives and program strategies as part of an immersive full-day retreat.
A priority initiative of the Princeton Department of Athletics made possible through the Athletic Director’s Fund for Excellence, the annual summer gathering provides a dedicated space for coaches to deepen connections and share best practices. The Summit continues to offer Tiger coaches a unique combination of program benchmarking, professional development and relationship building across the department. Through five years, the Summit has yielded more than 50 total hours of coach collaboration.
Discussion topics ranged from recruiting to student-athlete development to the use of AI and technology in coaching and program management. Coaches joined together to reflect on “the story behind the season,” ways they are finding and leveraging various competitive edges, and unpacked the top challenges each program faces today. The event started with a keynote “Tiger Talk” from head coach Matt Madalon of the 2026 National Champion men’s lacrosse program, and concluded with a happy hour “Roar & Pour” wine education from men’s tennis head coach Billy Pate.
“The Tiger Summit is a valuable opportunity to connect with and learn from coaches across the department. We are fortunate to have not only the best coaches in the Ivy League, but some of the very best in the NCAA. Hearing about the strategies and philosophies that drive their success provides meaningful insights that help us continue Princeton’s tradition of excellence and elevate our program to the highest level.” – Princeton Assistant Coach
Click here for a full photo gallery from this year’s Tiger Coaches Summit.
“At Princeton, we are surrounded by so many bright, talented, and inspirational coaches and administrators. When you put them all in a room together and they start exchanging ideas, that’s where the magic happens. It is both educational and energizing. I look forward to this event every year because I know I will leave a better coach than when I showed up.” – Princeton Head Coach
“The Coaches Summit solidified that I am exactly where I’m supposed to be. Listening to so many successful coaches talk about their journey and personal experiences navigating college athletics, particularly at a place as special as Princeton, highlighted the importance of community and the joint ownership of building and sustaining community in this ever changing landscape of college athletics.” – Princeton Assistant Coach
“The culture in Princeton Athletics rivals any in the country. The summit is a great way to reinforce and strengthen that culture.” – Princeton Head Coach
