top of page
Lacrosse Equipment

2024 NILCA Hall of Fame Inductee Bios

Rick Brocato

RICK BROCATO 

​

Rick Brocato is a life-long teacher-coach for 39 years. He joined the St. Paul’s School faculty in 1987, and after leaving in 1999, returned in 2004 as a teacher and varsity lacrosse coach. He was the head varsity lacrosse coach for 17 years (1995-1999 & 2006-2017), winning the 2010 Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association championship that featured a 17-7 win over rival Boys’ Latin in the championship game. In 1998 and 2010, “Coach Broc” was both the Baltimore Sun Coach of the Year and the U.S. Lacrosse Baltimore Chapter Coach of the Year. He also served as assistant coach of the St. Paul’s 1991 championship lacrosse team, the undefeated 1992 MSA championship lacrosse team, and the undefeated 1996 championship football team.

​

Rick is the winningest head lacrosse coach in St. Paul's history, with a record of 244-107. During Rick’s tenure, the Crusaders qualified for the playoffs in 15 of 17 years in the MIAA, one of the nation's most competitive high school lacrosse conferences, reaching four championship games in 1996, 1998, 2010, and 2014. Rick has coached five Hall of Fame inductees, 19 Major League Lacrosse/Premier Lacrosse League professionals, 19 players on NCAA championship teams, 44 All-Americans, and three Kelly Award winners. He was inducted into the St. Paul’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022.

​

A graduate of Towson High School, Rick garnered All-County and All-State lacrosse honors his junior and senior seasons. He played at Washington College and, post-collegiately, for the Mount Washington Lacrosse Club from 1985-1989. Rick helped lead the Kent-Denver School to the Colorado 5A state lacrosse championship in 2001, after which he returned to Baltimore to join the Boys’ Latin staff in 2002-2004, winning the 2002 MIAA league title. In 2021, Rick returned to his alma mater as head coach of the Towson High School varsity lacrosse team, which won the 3A regional title and reached the 3A MPSSA state championship game. His overall head coaching record is 267-110.

​

Rick was the head coach of both the South teams in the USILA Senior North-South Game in 1996 and in the Senior Under Armor High School All-American game in 2011. He served on the selection staff for the 2016 USA U-19 FIL World Championship team. Rick also volunteered and served on the board for Charm City Lax in Baltimore City.

​

Rick is a two-time recipient of the Alexander W. Schweizer Teacher-Coach Award and was selected as the Kent W. “Skip” Darrell Distinguished Chair in Teaching and Coaching Excellence. He is particularly proud of serving as a teacher-coach for almost four decades, coaching at least two sports for more than 35 years, and helping to grow the game of lacrosse.

​

Reflecting on his 39 years as a teacher-coach, Rick is honored to have served with so many outstanding coaches over the years and recognizes the countless hours and dedication they have contributed to this achievement. He is grateful and humbled by the countless people with whom he has built meaningful relationships, on and off the field. His inspiration and moral compass have always been his family, especially his mom-Betty, his wife of 37 years-Tracey, and their two children, Kate and Jack.​​

Gil Gibbs

GIL GIBBS

​

Gil Gibbs never played the game of lacrosse, yet he was tasked to take over a fledgling lacrosse program at Montclair (NJ) High School that went 4-7 the previous year against what was regarded as a weak New Jersey lacrosse schedule. Eleven years later he was honored by the USILA with its Man of the Year Award for having established the first nationally recognized public high school lacrosse powerhouse, located outside of Maryland or Long Island. After completing his 13th season, Coach Gibbs tragically died of cancer in 1978, at the age of 39.

​

After being diagnosed with cancer prior to the 1977 season, Coach Gibbs led Montclair High to a 20-0 record, including an 8-4 win over the defending Maryland Scholastic Association champion, The Gilman School and a victory over Suffern (NY), a semi-finalist in the first ever New York State Championship. That season, five of his former players were named collegiate All-Americans and five were selected to try out for the United States National Team, the most of any high school in the United States. Despite the diagnosis of 1977, Coach Gibbs led Montclair to the 1978 New Jersey championship losing his two-year battle with cancer, at the peak of his career, on July 22, 1978. 

 

In 1970’s, Gibbs, along with Steve Jacobson and Dietrich E.O. von Schwerdtner, coached an underdog group of New Jersey All-Stars to a stunning upset of a Baltimore All-Star team that included three future National Lacrosse Hall of Fame members. The game was played prior to the USILA North-South Game at Washington & Lee University. In what became the watershed moment for New Jersey lacrosse, Maryland and Hopkins coaches successfully began to recruit New Jersey. The Lacrosse Guide, the only national lacrosse publication at the time said: “The progress of secondary school lacrosse in the Garden State the past few years has been remarkable.” In fact, pipelines from Montclair to national powers Maryland, Johns Hopkins, Navy, and Rutgers were formed as a result. Many Division 1 schools, eager to compete in the newly created NCAA lacrosse tournament, and anxious to expand their recruiting base, began to actively recruit in New Jersey and beyond. In all, New Jersey players competed in 42 NCAA Division I Final Four games, with six winning national championships during those early years. 

​

Under Gibbs, Montclair’s rise from obscurity to national prominence was staggering. His record combined with the achievements of his former players, placed Montclair among the elite programs in the United States. In his last eight seasons his record was 132-7, and Montclair won 10 state championships -6 NJ Coaches Titles (71, 72, 75, 76, 77 &78) and 4 NJSIAA Titles (74, 75, 77 &78). During this period, Gibbs coached 17 scholastic All-Americans; 10 of his players garnered collegiate All-American honors.

​

Coach Gibbs is recognized with playing the lead role in the development and growth of lacrosse in the State of New Jersey. When Coach Gil began coaching in Montclair in 1966, only ten teams played lacrosse in New Jersey. In 1979, the year after his passing, that number had grown to 48 teams. Today there are over 215 boys’ teams competing at the varsity level in New Jersey. 

Jon Heisman

JON HEISMAN​

​

Jon Heisman’s love of lacrosse started in 1972 when he received his first stick from his sisters boyfriend who was on his high school team. 

​

He is now entering his 42nd year of coaching, 34 as a head coach. In that time he has guided West Chester East to a State title as an associate Head coach in 1988,Springfield-Delco to a state crown in the old Pennsylvania Scholastic Lacrosse Association in 1992. He also lost in the state finals three times (1994, ’96, ’97) and reached the Final Four six times. He later coached at West Chester East for six years and then took over at Bishop Shanahan in 2010. There he won Ches-Mont League titles in 2013-15 and took the Eagles to back-to-back District 1 and PIAA 2A championships in 2018 and 2019. 

​

Last year, Heisman broke former La Salle coach Bill Leahy’s state mark of 512 wins as a boys’ coach, Heisman now has 533 wins after leading the Eagles to a 16-3 campaign and a runner-up finish in the Ches-Mont this spring. Jon is now the winningest boys’ lacrosse coach in PA history,  a two-time PIAA champion, a pre-PIAA state champ, and an Eastern PA Chapter member of the USA Hall of Fame.

​

Jon’s playing career started at Henderson High in the 1970s and he started all four years as a defenseman at Ithaca College, earning All-American honors in 1980. He credits Bob Brinton – his coach at Henderson and later the coach at Penn and West Chester College – and Paul Stankewicz as the first mentors who inspired him to pursue coaching. At Ithaca, Bill Ware was a strong influence as head coach. Two other strong influences at Ithaca were players, three-sport standout Alan Howell, who mentored Heisman as a young defenseman; and Johnny Mouradian who years later became head coach of the Philadelphia Wings. Ray Rostan (former Head Coach of Hampton Sydney) was a graduate assistant when Jon was a senior and started the coaching fire within.

​

Besides his High School coaching endeavors Jon Co-Founded Black Bear Lacrosse LLC and still runs youth camps in Avalon and Sea Isle, NJ. He also is a travel coach for True Roughriders PA mentoring rising high school players.

​

It never gets old,” he said. “The friendships I’ve developed at these high schools have been special. Coaching is what my life is. What I savor are the relationships with the players and coaches.” “I also have to credit my great staff and my wife, who lets me do what I love,” said Heisman. “It’s been a nice ride, but I have a lot left.”​

Scott Howe

SCOTT HOWE SR.​

The Maverick Coach Who Ignited Lacrosse in Kentucky

​

Trailblazing Origins:

​

  • 1998: With humble beginnings at a patchy field next to Tom Sawyer State Park, Scott ignited the Kentucky High School Boys Lacrosse scene in Louisville.  He wrangled up any kid or parent that showed the slightest interest which led to a pioneering group of 18 players.  This inaugural season set the stage for a statewide lacrosse revolution. Many losses were had, but invaluable lessons were learned as these early teams had to travel outside of Kentucky playing teams and programs far more seasoned and some nationally ranked.  “You have to play the best, if you want to be the best,” is what former players can still hear Coach Howe preaching.  

  • 1999-2000: Scott championed the expansion of “Louisville Lacrosse,” advocating for local athletic directors to embrace the sport for both boys and girls and still does so across the state today.

  • 2001: He catapulted the participation level to 120 players across 4 high schools, culminating in the inaugural State Championship with a victory as the mastermind behind St Xavier HS’s triumph.

  • Present: Scott continues to transform the landscape with over 40 schools competing, paving the way for state-sanctioned lacrosse in the 2025 season.  He also just launched a youth development program focused on kindergarten through 3rd grade where his youngest Grandson (3 years old) came out to participate in full gear! 

​

St Xavier High School (TIGERS) Tenure (2001-2023):

​

  • Dominated the field with 16 State Championship Victories out of 22, marking an era of excellence for the TIGERS.  

  • A strategic visionary, leading the team to the finals in 21 out of 22 seasons and an overall record of 326-132 (71.18 Career Win %).

  • During Scott’s 22 years at the helm, his players were exposed to collegiate recruiters and played the best of the best by taking his TIGERS to compete in Long Island, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, and Florida.  

  • Under his tutelage, Scott was blessed to see a bevy of student-athletes achieve HS All-American recognition and even more that would continue on to enjoy successful collegiate careers.  As of today, Scott has coached a handful of NCAA All-Americans and hopes to see one recent graduate make the PLL in the very near future.

  • Scott credits his success by being surrounded by so many hardworking and dedicated Assistant Coaches as well as the countless players who truly bought into the program.  “We, before me.” 

 

Legacy & Leadership:

​

  • A four-year letterman at the University of Virginia and part of the legendary 1972 National Championship Team. 

  • A founding father of the Kentucky US Lacrosse Chapter, serving a decade as Vice President.

  • A decade-long tenure as the US Lacrosse High School Boys Area Chairman.

  • 2009: Led the WEST Team to victory in the US Lacrosse National HS Senior Showcase Games held in Providence, RI.

  • A five-time Kentucky HS Coach of the Year, recognized for unparalleled coaching prowess.

  • 2011: Honored as the US Lacrosse Man of the Year for Kentucky, a crowning achievement reflecting a lifetime dedicated to the sport.

  • 2015: Inducted into the Kentucky US Lacrosse Chapter Hall of Fame’s inaugural class, a testament to a storied career.

  • The architect behind Team Stickhead HS Boys and Howes Heroes “active” Travel Teams, nurturing the next generation of lacrosse legends.

​

Beyond the Field:

​

  • Entrepreneurial spirit led to the launch of a chain of Lacrosse Retail stores, spreading the lacrosse culture in Louisville, Lexington, KY, and Birmingham, AL.

  • As VP and General Manager for The Rouse Company, he transformed the Mall St. Matthews from a modest 500,000 sf to a colossal 1,200,000 sf, earning the title of 1994 Marketer of the Year.

  • Balancing dual careers with family life, now revels in the joys of retirement, cherishing moments with family and three grandchildren.

​

Scott Howe Sr.'s legacy is not just in the trophies and titles, but in the indelible impact he’s made on the sport of lacrosse in Kentucky and beyond. His story is one of passion, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.  He continues to give back and share the wealth of knowledge and wisdom that this game has so graciously given him.  Best of all, his story is still being told!  

Chris Kenneally

CHRIS KENNEALLY

​

Christopher Kenneally has been involved in lacrosse in Upstate New York for most of his life. His lacrosse journey started as a player at West Genesee High School from 1965 to 1969. He continued playing at Brockport State from 1969 to 1973. After graduating from SUNY Brockport, Chris was hired as a Chemistry teacher and lacrosse coach at Bishop Ludden in the Spring of 1973. Chris coached one year at the JV level and 10 as a varsity coach while teaching there. He accepted a position at Fayetteville-Manlius High School in 1984 as a chemistry teacher and lacrosse coach until retirement in 2017. Chris has coached over 500 players who went on to play college lacrosse. He has coached 27 players that were awarded College All-American honors. Chris coached 34 players named as High School All-Americans/ Academic All-Americans. As a head coach, he finished his career with a record of 396-122, a 76.44 winning percentage! As a coach, some of his greatest achievements include:

​

24 years NYSPHSAA Team “Scholar-Athlete Award”

​15 league championship teams​

2 Section 3 Championship teams​

8 league “Coach of the Year” awards​

3 Section 3 “Coach of the Year” award​

The Post-Standard “Coach of the Year” award - 2014​

US Lacrosse “Carroll Award” which recognizes excellence in high school coaching​

Induction into the Upstate New York Lacrosse Hall of Fame - 2008​

Induction into the Camillus/West Genesee Hall of Fame- 2022​

Induction into the Bishop Ludden Sports Hall of Fame- 2023

​

After concluding his coaching career, Chris stayed active in the upstate lacrosse scene. He continued to serve for the last twenty years as the Section 3 Lacrosse vice chairman of the NYSPHAA, an association that he has been a member of for his career. He was awarded the NYSPHAA Section 3 Service Award in 2017. He was also awarded the John Arcaro Memorial Coaches Award in 2018 by the Blindmen & Criers Organization. This award is very special to him because recipients are recognized for holding the highest standards as a coach in the CNY sports community. Through coaching and teaching, Chris has made a very substantial contribution to Central New York. His family, friends, peers, former students, and athletes are extremely proud of his achievements and the mark he continues to make on our community. 

Bob Macaluso

BOB MACALUSO​

​

A lacrosse stick, given as a gift by a friend in his freshman year in high school, was the catalyst for a lifelong commitment to the sport of lacrosse. His career, as a player and a coach, has lasted over sixty years and continues to this day. He immediately fell in love with the sport, his skills developed rapidly, and, in his senior year, Adelphi University offered him a lacrosse scholarship which he accepted.

​

After a successful career at Adelphi, where he also lettered in football and squash, Bob volunteered to serve his country as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. A Vietnam veteran and a Bronze Star recipient, Bob returned to Long Island with his wife Helen to start a family and begin a career as a teacher and coach. In 1980, Bob was inducted into the Adelphi University Athletic Hall of Fame.

​

The following is a summary of his coaching career and community involvement in developing youth lacrosse:

​

1972-1977 - Holy Trinity HS, Herricks HS, Plainview HS

1977-1984 - Head Varsity Football Coach - Northport HS

1978-1998 - Head Boys Varsity Lacrosse Coach - Northport HS

2001-2006 - continued lacrosse program success - NYS Championship 2001

1980-1989 - summer elementary school program - boys and girls

                    summer lacrosse camp - boys and girls with Jim Amen

Late ’80s - Northport Lacrosse Club becomes the guiding entity for youth lacrosse under the direction of Andy Thompson and a group of parents

1990 - present - Northport varsity boys and girls programs establish themselves as elite programs on Long Island

2006 - Coach Macaluso retires from Northport Schools as a teacher and coach

2007-2008 - assistant varsity coach to Jim Kaspar - Long Beach HS - boys

2009-2010 - assistant varsity coach - Wando HS - South Carolina - boys

2012-2024 - assistant varsity coach to Jeff Weiner - Bishop England HS - girls Daniel Island, SC; State Champions 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024

2012-2018 - Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach for the New Zealand National Team -

                     2014 World Games - Denver, Colorado; 4 wins - 4 losses

                     2018 World Games - Netanya, Israel; 5 wins - 3 losses

​

Bob has had the blessing of a talented, hardworking, knowledgeable, player-friendly group of assistant coaches on the interscholastic level. Jim Kaspar, Glenn Lavey, Blaney McEanany, George Searing, Jon Macaluso, Tom Finnegan, & Ray Teiner have shared the coaching responsibilities selflessly and he will always be indebted to them.

 

He has had the privilege and the pleasure of coaching nine high school All-Americans. Over his last twelve years at Northport HS, the program averaged five Division 1 recruits each year with eight Division 1 recruits in 2001 and 2002. As important, 85% of the seniors went on to play college lacrosse.

Paul McDermott

PAUL MCDERMOTT​

​

In January 2024, Paul McDermott was inducted into the Long Island Metro Lacrosse Hall of Fame, a fitting honor for his 49-year commitment to the sport as a player, coach, and camp director. His journey in lacrosse is a remarkable testament to his unwavering dedication and passion. It began in 1975 when he joined the Huntington Boys Club as an 8th grader, a decision that would ignite a lifelong love for the game. Despite facing adversity, including breaking his left collarbone as a freshman and his right collarbone as a junior varsity player, Paul's determination never wavered. He continued to play through his senior year, always eager to learn and improve his skills while diligently following his coaches' instructions. 

 

One of the crowning achievements of his high school lacrosse career was winning the League championship under Coach Steve Davis, a victory that showcased his potential and fueled his ambition to contribute to the sport in more significant ways. 

After high school, Paul’s journey continued as he enrolled at Cortland State, transferred to Suffolk Community College, and ultimately found his way to CW Post College. It was there that he not only made the team but also honed his skills as both a player and a coach, under the mentorship of John Danowski. 

 

Throughout his lacrosse journey, Paul's parents, Mary and Jim, were his most ardent supporters, never missing a game, whether he was a player or a coach. 

Transitioning from player to coach, Paul embarked on a storied career as the Boys Lacrosse Coach at Huntington High School. Under his leadership, his teams consistently dominated the league, securing 19 League titles, 3 County championships, 3 Long Island championships, and 2 State championships, with an impressive 304 Varsity career wins. Huntington High School’s extraordinary achievement of being ranked number one in the nation in 2007, with a streak of 63 consecutive wins, was a testament to Paul’s exceptional coaching abilities. His success was recognized with nine League/Division Coach of the Year awards, two NILA Coach of the Year awards, and the Newsday LI Coach of the Year award. In 2002, he was honored as the NILA “Man of the Year,” highlighting not only his coaching skills but also his character, leadership, and contributions to the lacrosse community. 

 

Paul’s reputation and expertise extended beyond local boundaries. In 2007, he was selected as the head coach for the Under Armour All-American team, representing the North region. 

 

Beyond the field, Paul has been deeply committed to the growth and development of lacrosse at local, regional, and national levels. His leadership roles, including his involvement with the Huntington High School Boys Alumni Lacrosse Association, his service as the Vice President of the Suffolk County Lacrosse Association from 2000 to 2014, and his ongoing contributions to LIMLF and NILCA, reflect his dedication to ensuring the sport's continued growth and success. His commitment to charitable endeavors, particularly his fundraising efforts for Juvenile Type 1 diabetes from 2006 to 2024, inspired by his son Matthew’s diagnosis, showcases his character and desire to give back to the community. 

After 38 years of teaching in the Half Hollow Hills School District, Paul retired in June of 2023. He continues to coach JV Football and Varsity Lacrosse at Cold Spring Harbor High School, adding three more State championships to his resume. Throughout his journey, Paul’s children, John, Makayla, and Matthew, have been his constant support, and his wife, Hilary, has inspired him to continue coaching and giving back to the game he loves.

Jake Reed

JAKE REED​

​

Jake Reed’s introduction to lacrosse didn’t start until seventh grade PE class. Growing up in West Virginia, the game of lacrosse was never mentioned.  After PE class one day, his friends talked him into playing goalie on their Lutherville-Timonium rec team.

​

From that point on lacrosse was his passion.  He played at Dulaney High School and the University of Maryland.  As a three-year starter in goal at Maryland he was on the 1975 NCAA Championship team.

​

Jake discovered his passion for coaching while working at Buddy Beardmore’s University of Maryland Summer Lacrosse Camp.  They were far different from today’s camps.  Check-in was Sunday and check-out was Friday.  Every aspect and fundamental was demonstrated, practiced, and critiqued.  This style of teaching and coaching solidified his desire to pursue his passion. 

​

He began his coaching career as a goalie coach at University of Maryland, followed by stints at Saint Alban’s School, Howard High School, Westminster High School, head coach at Hackley School, assistant coach and defensive coordinator at United States Military Academy, head coach at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and head coach at McDonogh School.  He started and directed rec teams for K-8th graders in Owings Mills.  He owned and directed the Nike Blue Chip Lacrosse Camp from 2001-2019.  More recently, he was the assistant coach and then head coach at his alma mater, Dulaney High School.  His coaching career continued as a volunteer assistant at Patterson High School, and finally a volunteer assistant at Palm Beach Atlantic University.​

Tom Rotanz

TOM ROTANZ​

Shoreham-Wading River, Long Island

 

A Long Island native, Tom Rotanz first picked up a stick in 1972 and then in 1975 became the first sophomore defenseman to start at Ward Melville HS for their Hall of Fame coach, Joe Cuozzo.  Tom was a 3-year starter and in his junior year, 1976, he was a member of Ward Melville HS’s first undefeated team and Long Island Champs.  He was a captain as a senior and was selected as an All-American in 1977.  Tom then attended Suffolk County Community College in ’78 & ’79 and played for another HOF coach, Tom Postel, where he was a 2-time captain, 2-time All-American, and in 1979 SCCC won their only NJCAA Championship where Tom was the championship tournament MVP (the only defenseman to receive the MVP honor).  He was awarded the “Hero’s Award” for the Best Defenseman in the Nation.  Next up was Adelphi Univ. where Tom played for Paul “Doc” Doherty and was a 2-time All-American in ’80 & ’81, Division II runner-up in 1980, and the Division II National Champs in 1981.

 

Tom started teaching mathematics and computer science at Rocky Point HS in 1985 and had numerous coaching positions in multiple sports until he landed his first head coaching position at Shoreham-Wading River in 1995.  S-WR was in its second year of being a varsity in 1995 where he fielded a team of only 14 players … 6 of whom were 9th graders, and they finished the year 1-15.  His tenure as the head coach was from 1995 to 2013 and he accumulated a record of 256-99 (.720 winning pct.).  Tom would like to acknowledge Mike Delia, his assistant from 1999 to 2008, for being instrumental in the program’s success and for bringing S-WR national recognition. Tom has always said that Mike has one of the best lacrosse minds in the country.  Another key individual was Tom’s goalie coach, John Sullivan, who worked with S-WR’s goalies from 2002 to 2013.  John was a 2-Time National Championship Game MVP goalie (Farmingdale ’77 & Roanoke ’78).  Gene Gersbeck became Tom’s assistant from 2009 to 2013 and helped to continue the winning ways. 

 

From 2001 to 2013, SWR won 10 Suffolk County championships (played in 10), 5 Long Island championships, and 3 New York State championships (played in 3).  His playoff record was 39-13 (.750 winning pct.).  In 2012, S-WR was awarded the LIMLF’s “Founders Cup” for the “Best team in Suffolk County”.  He was a 7-time Suffolk County “Coach of the Year”, 3-time Suffolk County “Man of the Year”, and a 3-time “Newsday’s All Long Island Coach of the Year”.  In 2003, Tom was the head coach of the Long Island Empire team that won a silver medal in the NYS Games.  One of Tom’s coaching highlights was being the assistant coach for the 2012 USA Men’s U-19 team that won the Gold Medal in Turku, Finland. 

 

Helping to spread the game of lacrosse, Tom increased the Shoreham-Wading River youth program from 42 youth players in 1994 to 300+ in 2013.  He was asked to speak at numerous coaches’ conventions, 6-times at the US Lacrosse Convention, the Minnesota State Coaches Convention, and the State of Georgia Lacrosse Awards Ceremony.  He founded and is the director of the lacrosse teaching camp, The Lacrosse Position Camp, that has run for the past 27 years (originally called TOP 20 Lacrosse) and has been committed to teaching the fundamentals of lacrosse.

 

Tom completed his coaching career by starting another brand-new program, St. Joseph’s College, on Long Island from 2016 – 2022 and amassed a record of 32-35.  They made the Skyline Conference playoffs from 2019 to 2022 and Tom was selected the Skyline Conference “Coach of the Year” in 2022.

 

Rotanz has also been inducted into the Ward Melville HS, Suffolk County Community College, National Junior College Athletic Association, and the Long Island Metropolitan Lacrosse Foundation Hall of Fames.

 

Tom’s wife Linda, of 43 years, has been instrumental in his lacrosse coaching success. Tom & Linda have 3 children, Tom, Tim, and Taylor.​

Geroge Searing

GEORGE SEARING

​

George Searing began his teaching career in 1985 and started his coaching career in 1986 at Yorktown High School under his longtime mentor and NILCA Hall of Fame member, Jim Turnbull. George succeeded Jim as head coach in 1994. During his tenure at Yorktown, George was fortunate to be part of four NYS Championships, as well as two NYS Finalist and seven NYS Semifinalist squads. George was recognized as NILA Coach of the Year in 1994 and 1996, as well as NILA Man of the Year in 1998.

​

While at Yorktown, George was a Charter Member of the Hudson Valley Chapter of the US Lacrosse Foundation and served as president from 1994-1996. He created the Valley Lax News, a quarterly newsletter for the Chapter. George also was an Event Coordinator when the Chapter hosted the 1994 Team USA squad in an exhibition game/fundraiser as they prepared to win the 1994 World Games. He also coached the Hudson Valley squad to a bronze medal in the 1997 Empire State Games.

​

George and his family relocated back to Long Island, where he taught and coached at Northport High School until his retirement from teaching in 2018. In addition to coaching varsity lacrosse, he coached middle school basketball and football and was actively involved in many student clubs and societies at the high school. He concluded his coaching career at Northport in 2020. While at Northport, he was part of the NYS Championship and NYS Finalist squads. His teams never missed a postseason berth during his tenure at Northport. He was recognized as NILA Coach of the Year in 1999 and 2001. He also received a US Lacrosse Coach of the Year Award in 2015. Additionally, he was awarded the US Lacrosse Man of the Year Award in 2012 and 2014. George also served as president of the Suffolk County Lacrosse Coaches Association from 2013-2020. George was a presenter at the Long Island Lacrosse Coaches Clinic.

​

George took a three-year hiatus from Northport to be a part of legendary coach Jack Kaley’s staff at NYIT. During those three seasons, the NYIT squads captured the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2003 and 2005.

​

George was fully involved with many community-based programs at Northport. He and his staff routinely held clinics for the players and coaches of the Northport Lacrosse Club. He also was a founder of the town-based Team Tiger summer travel program and summer camp. 

​

Since its inception in 2000, George has been a member of the Board of Trustees for the Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation, a community-based organization championing player safety in athletics. Additionally, he organized Lax 4 Vets – an event to honor and recognize local veterans in the surrounding Northport community, as well as the Town of Huntington Coaches vs. Cancer Preseason Jamboree to rally the local lacrosse community in a fundraising effort to support the American Cancer Society.

​

George continues his efforts to support the Long Island high school lacrosse community as a director of the Long Island Lacrosse Showcase, an endeavor to recreate the discontinued Empire State Games experience, which allows hundreds of local high school lacrosse players to demonstrate their skills and abilities to college coaches. 

​

George and Patricia, his wife of 37 years, became snowbirds in 2021, where he served as the coach of Naples High School in Florida for three seasons. While in Naples, George conducted weekly youth clinics and was an Onsite Facilitator for the Florida High School Athletic Association State Championships in 2022. George stepped away from coaching after the 2023 season, finishing his coaching career with a record of 309-131.

Bill Turri

BILL TURRI

​

Bill Turri is a 1978 graduate of West Islip High School where he captained the Football, Basketball, and Lacrosse teams his senior year.  He was inducted into the West Islip Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997.  After high school, he went on to play lacrosse at Penn State University for Head Coach Glen Thiel.  At Penn State, he was a two-time Honorable Mention All-American and Captain of the team his senior year.  He was also awarded the Pittenger Award, given to the team’s most valuable senior.  The summer prior to his senior year Bill was invited to try out for the 1982 US World Team.  At the conclusion of his senior season, he was selected to represent the North in the 1982 North-South All-Star game.

 

After receiving his degree in Health and Physical Education from Penn State, Bill began his coaching career at Port Washington High School in Nassau County where he coached varsity lacrosse as assistant to Ken Case.  He spent one year at Port before moving on to begin his coaching career at West Islip.  Bill coached numerous sports spanning his 34-year teaching career at West Islip, including 14 years as the Head J.V. Football coach.  He started his lacrosse coaching career at Udall Road Junior High School and was there for 1 year before moving up to join Scott Craig on the Junior Varsity.  After 3 years, Bill and Scott moved up to the varsity level where he was Scott’s defensive coordinator for 31 years. After Scott retired, Bill was to stay on for 2 more years to assist Tom Corcoran who had taken over the head coaching position.  Unfortunately, the pandemic ended that second season after the 1st week of practice.

 

Bill credits his success and the success of the West Islip Lacrosse program to the leadership of Scott Craig and the bond he and Scott shared on the sidelines together for 34 years.  Scott’s confidence in Bill’s coaching abilities and the free reign he afforded him with the defense were key to Bill’s success.  There are not many coaches who would relinquish that much control over their program.  The duo recorded 480 wins during their tenure together at the varsity level.  

 

Bill also had 14 wins in his final year coaching as Tom Corcoran’s assistant.  He made the playoffs all 32 seasons he coached at the varsity level.  Together Bill and Scott won 9 Suffolk “A” Titles, 7 Long Island Titles, and 5 New York State Titles and were ranked the  #1 team in the country twice. Bill’s defenses had 6 seasons where they held their opponents to an average of less than 5 goals per game.  In the 5 state championship wins, they gave up a total of 27 goals.  Bill was honored as Suffolk County Assistant Coach of the Year two times.  He coached 9 High School All-American Defensemen and 3 Academic All-American Defensemen at West Islip.  

 

Bill was very fortunate to have a family that was very involved with the lacrosse program.  The support he got from Nancy, his wife of 39 years, was a big part of his success.  Their three sons - Justin, Wade, and Kyle - were all a part of New York State championship teams. Justin went on to play lacrosse at Duke University and is the current Head Coach at St. Johns University.  Wade went on to Loyola University where he played club lacrosse as well as graduating Summa Cum Laude.  Kyle went on to play lacrosse at Duke University and is the Offensive Coordinator on his brother Justin’s staff at St. Johns.

 

Bill and Nancy still live in West Islip, and spend summers at their house in the Adirondacks.  They enjoy hiking, kayaking, and spending time at the lake.  They also enjoy time with their family; Justin and Rachel and their three boys Will (4) and twins Matt and Dave (2 ½), Wade, and Kyle and Courtney and their daughter Shea (9 months). 

 

Bill keeps involved in lacrosse by doing training during the fall and spring as well as working with the West Islip varsity defensemen in the winter.  He also enjoys attending and watching the St. John’s lacrosse games; then, replaying and breaking down the game films to ‘really’ see the game. 

bottom of page