# Syracuse Orange men's lacrosse

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
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

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

### Big East lacrosse

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:
* 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:
* Brad Kotz (1982–85)
* John Zulberti (1986–89)
* Gary Gait (1987–90)
* Pat McCabe (1988–91)
* Tom Marechek (1989–92)
* Charlie Lockwood (1991–94)
* Roy Colsey (1992–95)
* Ric Beardsley (1992–95)
* Casey Powell (1995–98)
* Ryan Powell (1997-2000)
* Michael Springer (2000–03)
* Mike Powell (2001–04)

### Tewaaraton Trophy

Syracuse has also produced two Tewaaraton Trophy winners:
* Mike Powell (2002, 2004)
* Mike Leveille (2008)

### 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:
* Tom Marechek (2012)
* Gary Gait (2014)
* Paul Gait (2014)

### 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. 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.

## 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: | 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.: | 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.: | 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: | 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 |
| 2025 | Gary Gait | 4-2 | 0–0 | | |
| Gary Gait: | Gary Gait: | 25–23 (.511) | 5–11 (.313) | | |
| Total: | Total: | 948–381–16 (.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.