Longtime Manheim Township boys' lacrosse coach Rich Lefever will not return to lead the Blue Streaks in 2011.
Lefever, who started the program at MT 11 years ago, did not receive the administration's recommendation to have his contract renewed.
Coaches operate on a year-to-year contract and first need the administration's recommendation before having the school board review it. In Lefever's case, the school board never voted on his contract because it was not on the recommended list from the administration.
Township athletic director Kevin Racquet could not comment on personnel matters.
Township won 173 games under Lefever (76 losses) and, along with Hempfield, became the gold standard for lacrosse programs in District Three.
The Blue Streaks played in every league championship game since its inception in 2003, winning four titles.
Since 2004 Township played in every district title game (formerly Central Pennsylvania Scholastic Lacrosse Association), striking gold four straight seasons from 2006-2009.
In four of the past five years Lefever's teams ended their seasons with losses to the eventual state champions while reaching the semifinals three times and championship game twice.
Township made its first Keystone Cup (state championship) appearance in 2006, and returned in 2008 (losing 7-5 to LaSalle). The past two years the Streaks fell in the state semis to LaSalle and Conestoga — both went on to the win state gold.
Last year MT knocked off District One's Garnet Valley, 11-4, in the first round of the PIAA playoffs, becoming the first team from outside the Philadelphia area to knock off a Philly area team in the state playoffs.
Lefever coached 10 players that earned scholastic All-America honors. Lefever's best player was Tim Stratton, who set the nation's career points record with 589 in 2007.
Nine former Township players played on NCAA teams last season, including four at the Division I level.
Lefever was unavailable for comment.