Syracuse Orange men's lacrosse

Syracuse Orange men's lacrosse
Founded1916
UniversitySyracuse University
Head coachGary Gait (since 2021 season)
StadiumJMA Wireless Dome
(capacity: 49,250)
LocationSyracuse, New York
ConferenceAtlantic Coast Conference
NicknameOrange
ColorsOrange[1]
 
Pre-NCAA era championships
(5) - 1920, 1922, 1924, 1925,1956 split with Johns Hopkins
NCAA Tournament championships
(10*) - 1983, 1988, 1989, 1993, 1995, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2009
*NCAA Tournament Championships Vacated
1990
NCAA Tournament Runner-Up
(6) - 1984, 1985, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2013
NCAA Tournament Final Fours
(26*) - 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2013
NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals
(33*) - 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2024
NCAA Tournament appearances
(39*) - 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024
Conference Tournament championships
(4) - 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016
Conference regular season championships
(5) - 2010, 2011, 2013, 2017, 2018

The Syracuse Orange men's lacrosse team represents Syracuse University in NCAA Division I men's college lacrosse. The Orange have won 15 national championship titles (one was later vacated) and currently compete as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference men's lacrosse conference. Syracuse plays its home games at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, New York.

History

Syracuse played its first intercollegiate lacrosse game in 1916, and captured United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse League (USILL) co-championships in 1920, 1922, 1924, and 1925 based on winning the Northern Division Syracuse. And Syracuse won the coaches national championship in 1956 led by Jim brown their future head coach and goalie and future indigenous people’s rights activist Oren Lyons[2]

The men's lacrosse team competed as independents until 2010 when the former Big East Conference began sponsoring men's lacrosse. It joined the Atlantic Coast Conference from the 2014 season onwards following the athletics program's switch to the ACC.

NCAA national championships

Syracuse being honored at the White House by president George W. Bush in June 2008

In the modern NCAA era, Syracuse has won 10 national championship titles, in 1983, 1988, 1989, 1993, 1995, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2008, and 2009, with one championship in 1990 vacated due to NCAA rules infractions after an investigation revealed that Nancy Simmons, the wife of Coach Roy Simmons Jr., had co-signed a car loan for the team's star player, Paul Gait, in the 1990 season.[3]

The Orange's ten NCAA championship titles are the most since the NCAA began holding tournaments in 1971 NCAA Division I.[4]

Big East lacrosse

Jovan Miller of Syracuse defends Army in 2010

Syracuse was one of seven Big East Conference schools that formally began competing in men's lacrosse in 2010. Previously, Syracuse men's lacrosse had remained independent (i.e., unaffiliated with any athletic conference). The other six Big East schools were Georgetown, Notre Dame, Providence, Rutgers, St. John's, and Villanova.

Head coaches

Syracuse has had five men's lacrosse head coaches since 1916:[5][6]

  • Laurie D. Cox (1916–1930), 116-40-15 record, .722 winning percentage
  • Roy Simmons Sr. (1931–1970), 253-130-1 record, .660 winning percentage
  • Roy Simmons Jr. (1971–1998), 287-96-0 record, .749 winning percentage
  • John Desko (1999–2021), 258-86-0 record, .750 winning percentage
  • Gary Gait (2021–present), 21-19-0 record, .525 winning percentage

As of games through 03/29/24, these coaches have combined for a 933-371-16 record, which is a .707 winning percentage, while winning 15 total national titles.

Individual honors and awards

USILA All-Americans

Twelve Syracuse Orange men's lacrosse players have been four-time United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association All-Americans:

Tewaaraton Trophy

Syracuse has also produced two Tewaaraton Trophy winners:

US Lacrosse Hall of Fame

Twenty-three Orange men's lacrosse players and coaches are enshrined in the United States Lacrosse Hall of Fame:

  • Laurie D. Cox (1957)
  • Irving Lydecker (1960)
  • Frederick A. Fitch (1961)
  • Victor Ross (1962; a three-time All American)
  • David Periard Sr. (1964)
  • Evan Corbin Sr. (1965)
  • Victor J. Jenkins (1967)
  • William N. Ritch (1972)
  • Louis Robbins (1975)
  • Stewart Lindsay Jr. (1977)
  • John Desko (1979)
  • William L. Fuller (1982)
  • Jim Brown (1984)
  • Ron Fraser (1987)
  • Roy Simmons Jr. (1991)
  • Oren R. Lyons Jr. (1992)
  • Dick Finley (1999)
  • Brad Kotz (2001)
  • Gary Gait (2005)
  • Thomas Ortese (2005)
  • Pat McCabe (2006)
  • Tom Marechek (2008)
  • Tim Nelson (2011)
  • Roy Colsey (2011)
  • John Zulberti (2015)

Only Johns Hopkins (63) and Maryland (31) have more inductees in the Hall of Fame.

Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame

At least three former Syracuse Orange men's lacrosse player has been inducted in the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame:

National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame

Several former Syracuse Orange men's lacrosse players have been inducted into the National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame:

  • Gary Gait (2006)
  • Paul Gait (2006)
  • Tom Marechek (2007)

Traditions

One notable tradition of the Syracuse program is the number 22 jersey, which is given to the player who is expected to be the team's best overall player.[7] The number has been worn by Gary Gait, Charlie Lockwood, Casey Powell, Ryan Powell, Mike Powell, Dan Hardy, Cody Jamieson, Jojo Marasco, Jordan Evans, Chase Scanlan, and most currently Joey Spallina.[8]

Season Results

The following is a list of Syracuse’s Men's Lacrosse results by season:

Season Coach Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Laurie Cox (Independent) (1916–1930)
1916 Laurie Cox 1–5–2
1918 Laurie Cox 3–4
1919 Laurie Cox 5–4–1
1920 Laurie Cox 5–3–4 USILA
1921 Laurie Cox 11–3–1
1922 Laurie Cox 16–0 USILA
1923 Laurie Cox 10–3–2
1924 Laurie Cox 13–0–1 USILA
1925 Laurie Cox 14–1 USILA
1926 Laurie Cox 11–1
1927 Laurie Cox 11–3–2
1928 Laurie Cox 8–2–1
1929 Laurie Cox 5–3–1
1930 Laurie Cox 3–8
Laurie Cox: 116–40–15 (.744)
Roy Simmons Sr. (Independent) (1931–1970)
1931 Roy Simmons Sr. 7–4
1932 Roy Simmons Sr. 6–1–1
1933 Roy Simmons Sr. 7–2
1934 Roy Simmons Sr. 10–2
1935 Roy Simmons Sr. 5–5
1936 Roy Simmons Sr. 7–2
1937 Roy Simmons Sr. 6–4
1938 Roy Simmons Sr. 5–5
1939 Roy Simmons Sr. 4–2
1940 Roy Simmons Sr. 5–4
1941 Roy Simmons Sr. 6–3
1942 Roy Simmons Sr. 3–4
1943 Roy Simmons Sr. 0–0 *
1944 Roy Simmons Sr. 0–0 *
1945 Roy Simmons Sr. 0–0 *
1946 Roy Simmons Sr. 7–5
1947 Roy Simmons Sr. 10–6
1948 Roy Simmons Sr. 11–3
1949 Roy Simmons Sr. 14–1
1950 Roy Simmons Sr. 11–2
1951 Roy Simmons Sr. 6–4
1952 Roy Simmons Sr. 6–2
1953 Roy Simmons Sr. 6–3
1954 Roy Simmons Sr. 8–2
1955 Roy Simmons Sr. 6–4
1956 Roy Simmons Sr. 8–5
1957 Roy Simmons Sr. 10–0
1958 Roy Simmons Sr. 6–3
1959 Roy Simmons Sr. 3–6
1960 Roy Simmons Sr. 6–4
1961 Roy Simmons Sr. 4–4
1962 Roy Simmons Sr. 7–2
1963 Roy Simmons Sr. 6–4
1964 Roy Simmons Sr. 6–4
1965 Roy Simmons Sr. 6–5
1966 Roy Simmons Sr. 3–7
1967 Roy Simmons Sr. 5–7
1968 Roy Simmons Sr. 9–4
1969 Roy Simmons Sr. 11–3
1970 Roy Simmons Sr. 7–2
Roy Simmons Sr.: 253–130–1 (.661)
Roy Simmons Jr. (Independent) (1971–1998)
1971 Roy Simmons Jr. 9–4
1972 Roy Simmons Jr. 8–8
1973 Roy Simmons Jr. 4–6
1974 Roy Simmons Jr. 2–9
1975 Roy Simmons Jr. 3–8
1976 Roy Simmons Jr. 7–4
1977 Roy Simmons Jr. 8–6
1978 Roy Simmons Jr. 10–3
1979 Roy Simmons Jr. 10–5 NCAA Division I Quarterfinals
1980 Roy Simmons Jr. 12–2 NCAA Division I Final Four
1981 Roy Simmons Jr. 7–4 NCAA Division I Quarterfinals
1982 Roy Simmons Jr. 6–4
1983 Roy Simmons Jr. 14–1 NCAA Division I Champion
1984 Roy Simmons Jr. 15–1 NCAA Division I Runner–Up
1985 Roy Simmons Jr. 14–2 NCAA Division I Runner–Up
1986 Roy Simmons Jr. 14–3 NCAA Division I Final Four
1987 Roy Simmons Jr. 9–4 NCAA Division I Final Four
1988 Roy Simmons Jr. 15–0 NCAA Division I Champion
1989 Roy Simmons Jr. 14–1 NCAA Division I Champion
1990 Roy Simmons Jr. 13–0 NCAA Division I Champion
1991 Roy Simmons Jr. 12–3 NCAA Division I Final Four
1992 Roy Simmons Jr. 13–2 NCAA Division I Runner–Up
1993 Roy Simmons Jr. 12–2 NCAA Division I Champion
1994 Roy Simmons Jr. 13–2 NCAA Division I Final Four
1995 Roy Simmons Jr. 13–2 NCAA Division I Champion
1996 Roy Simmons Jr. 11–4 NCAA Division I Final Four
1997 Roy Simmons Jr. 11–3 NCAA Division I Final Four
1998 Roy Simmons Jr. 11–3 NCAA Division I Final Four
Roy Simmons Jr.: 290–96 (.751)
John Desko (Independent) (1999–2009)
1999 John Desko 12–5 NCAA Division I Runner–Up
2000 John Desko 15–1 NCAA Division I Champion
2001 John Desko 13–3 NCAA Division I Runner–Up
2002 John Desko 15–2 NCAA Division I Champion
2003 John Desko 10–6 NCAA Division I Final Four
2004 John Desko 15–2 NCAA Division I Champion
2005 John Desko 7–6 NCAA Division I First Round
2006 John Desko 10–5 NCAA Division I Final Four
2007 John Desko 5–8
2008 John Desko 16–2 NCAA Division I Champion
2009 John Desko 16–2 NCAA Division I Champion
John Desko (Big East Conference) (2010–2013)
2010 John Desko 13–2 6–0 1st NCAA Division I First Round
2011 John Desko 15–2 6–0 1st NCAA Division I Quarterfinals
2012 John Desko 9–8 3–3 4th NCAA Division I First Round
2013 John Desko 16–4 5–1 T–1st NCAA Division I Runner–Up
John Desko (Atlantic Coast Conference) (2014–2021)
2014 John Desko 11–5 2–3 3rd NCAA Division I First Round
2015 John Desko 13–3 2–2 3rd NCAA Division I Quarterfinals
2016 John Desko 12–5 2–2 T–3rd NCAA Division I Quarterfinals
2017 John Desko 13–3 4–0 1st NCAA Division I Quarterfinals
2018 John Desko 8–7 4–0 1st NCAA Division I First Round
2019 John Desko 9–5 2–2 T–2nd NCAA Division I First Round
2020 John Desko 5–0 0–0 † †
2021 John Desko 7–6 2–4 T–4th NCAA Division I First Round
John Desko: 265–92 (.742) 38–17 (.691)
Gary Gait (Atlantic Coast Conference) (2022–Present)
2022 Gary Gait 4–10 1–5 T–4th
2023 Gary Gait 8–7 1–5 T–4th
2024 Gary Gait 11–5 3–1 2nd NCAA Division I Quarterfinals
Gary Gait: 23–22 (.511) 5–11 (.313)
Total: 947–380–16 (.711)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

* - No games played due to World War II.

† - NCAA canceled 2020 collegiate activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Color Palette". Syracuse University Brand Guidelines (PDF). Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  2. ^ Prior to 1971, the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) selected the national champion. From 1936 through 1970, the USILA awarded the Wingate Memorial Trophy to its selected annual champions, based on regular-season records. In 1957, both the Wingate Trophy and the Cyrus Miller Trophy (Division I championship) went to Johns Hopkins but the coaches national championship went to Syracuse. Since 1971, the annual NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship tournament has determined the national champion. The Wingate Memorial Trophy was also presented to the first two NCAA champions (1971 and 1972) and was then retired.
  3. ^ "Syracuse Loses Lacrosse Title". The New York Times. 1995-06-11. Retrieved 2010-05-25.
  4. ^ "Division I Men's Lacrosse History". NCAA. 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-17.
  5. ^ "NCAA Lacrosse: Men's Coaching Records" (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  6. ^ "NCAA Career Statistics Database". NCAA. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  7. ^ "Syracuse Lacrosse Roundtable: #11 and #22, hang 'em up or hand 'em out?". Nunemagician.com. June 2, 2017. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  8. ^ "No. 22 Chase Scanlan Lives Up to Hype in Debut, Leading Syracuse Past Colgate, 21-14". February 7, 2020. Retrieved 2020-03-11.

Further reading

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