Siena Heights men's lacrosse coach Frank Rogers will coach the Italian national team at the World Box Lacrosse Championships, which will take place in September in Utica, N.Y.

Rogers, a college coach for 20 years with experience as a field and box lacrosse coach and player at many levels, said this is one of the proudest moments of his career.

"Having the opportunity to coach the sport I love while representing my grandparents' homeland in a World Championship played in my home state of New York can't get any better," he said.

Rogers' grandparents immigrated from the Monopoli area of Italy and settled in Syracuse, N.Y., because of its strong Italian population. Since the spring, Rogers has been taking part in the tryout portion and will travel to Italy in August for the team's final training sessions.

The Italians will open Group E pool play on Sept. 21 versus Austria, followed by games against the Netherlands and the Virgin Islands. The remaining schedule will depend on pool play. Canada is the four-time defending World Champions.

Coach Rogers is the first NAIA head coach to receive such an honor. National head coaching positions are usually filled by NCAA Division I and professional coaches around the world.