2026 NILCA Hall of Fame Inductee Bios

JOHN LADEN​

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A lifelong contributor to the game of lacrosse, he has built a distinguished career defined by excellence as both a player and a coach at the highest levels of the sport.

He began his lacrosse journey at Chaminade High School, where he competed under legendary Hall of Fame coaches Jack Moran and Bob Pomponio. Under their guidance, he developed a deep understanding of the game and a commitment to discipline, teamwork, and excellence that would shape his future career. He continued his playing career at the University of Massachusetts, further refining his skills and knowledge of the sport at the collegiate level. 
His coaching career began at Chaminade High School, where he served as the freshman coach for two seasons before being promoted to the varsity staff as offensive coordinator and working with head coach Jack Moran. During his tenure, the program achieved remarkable success, capturing four consecutive Catholic League championships and five in total. 

He then moved on to Adelphi University and worked with Sandy Kapatos where he was part of one of the most dominant eras in collegiate lacrosse. During his time there, the program captured four national championships and finished as national runner-up twice, further establishing his reputation as a championship-caliber coach. 
His passion for growing the game extended internationally when he served as head coach of the Bulgarian National Team, contributing to the global expansion of lacrosse. 

He later brought his expertise to West Forsyth High School, where he has served as a cornerstone of the program for the past 14 seasons. Under his leadership, West Forsyth rose to statewide prominence, highlighted by capturing the program’s first-ever state championship in 2023. That historic season earned him widespread recognition, including Forsyth County Coach of the Year (three times), 2023 Georgia Lacrosse Coach of the Year, and 2023 National Interscholastic Lacrosse Coaches Association (NILCA) National Coach of the Year. 

Respected for his knowledge of the game, dedication to his players, and commitment to excellence, he has left an enduring mark on every program he has been a part of. His success has been strengthened by the unwavering support of his wife, Renee, whose encouragement has been constant throughout his career, as well as the dedication and loyalty of his assistant coaches and the many players and families he has mentored. He also credits his parents, John and Ellen Laden, for instilling the values of hard work, integrity, and perseverance that have guided him both on and off the field. His career reflects not only a record of success, but also a lasting influence on the development of lacrosse at high school, collegiate, and international levels. 

ANDY HILGARTNER​

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Every spring since 1994, Andy Hilgartner has been on the sidelines coaching high school lacrosse. It has been a lifelong passion, and he is incredibly grateful for the many opportunities the game has given him and his family.

Andy played high school lacrosse at Calvert Hall in Baltimore, where he attended school with fellow inductee Bill Leahy. After graduating from Calvert Hall, he attended Michigan State University and was part of a growing Division I program from 1990-93. As a senior, Andy was the team captain, leading scorer, and Most Valuable Player.

After graduation, Andy returned home and spent a year at his alma mater, where he got his first taste of high school coaching. He then headed to Sewickley Academy, outside of Pittsburgh, serving as an assistant coach in his first year before becoming head coach for the next five seasons. During his time at Sewickley, his teams won two Western Pennsylvania Lacrosse Championships, and in 1997, Andy was named Midwest Coach of the Year.

After his time in Pittsburgh, Andy returned to Maryland and spent three valuable years as an assistant coach at St. Mary’s High School, coaching under lacrosse legends Mike Burnett and Matt Hogan. Soon after, he returned to the head coaching ranks at Woodberry Forest School. His Woodberry teams compiled a 30-9 record in his two years there and won the Virginia Prep State Championship in 2005.

While he loved Woodberry, he loved his future wife even more and followed her back to Maryland. Eventually, Andy settled in as the head coach at McDonogh School, where he spent seventeen years leading the Eagles. During his tenure, McDonogh won four MIAA championships, including three consecutive titles from 2022-2024. In 2016, his team was ranked No. 1 nationally by LaxPower, and Andy was named USA Today National Coach of the Year.

In 2025, Andy began a new chapter at Georgetown Prep, where he serves as head coach and Dean of Students. In his first year at Prep, the Hoyas won the IAC Championship. His overall coaching record is 347-110.

Throughout his career, Andy has been blessed by the relationships he has built through the game. He understands that any success he has had as a coach is directly connected to the commitment and dedication of the players, coaches, and families who have been part of his journey. He is especially grateful for the coaching mentors and friends who helped guide him as a young coach and who continue to support and challenge him to this day.

Finally, and more than anything, Andy knows that no coach can do what he does without the amazing support of his family. He is incredibly thankful for his wife, Shea; his sons, Matt, Scotty and Jake; his mom, Anne; his brother, Peter; and the rest of his extended family. Their enthusiasm, guidance, and belief in him have meant the world to Andy and have allowed him to pursue a career and passion that he has been fortunate enough to share with so many others.

BILL CHERRY​

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There is an interesting irony to Bill Cherry’s coaching career. An accomplished football player, he was a three-year starter and captain at C.W. Post College, earning a free-agent contract with the Cleveland Browns in 1974. Remarkably, he never played lacrosse until 1988, yet he became one of the most successful lacrosse coaches in Nassau County history.

Cherry first made his mark as Manhasset High School’s head football coach from 1981 to 2011. He compiled a 121-82 record, leading the program to division championships in 1995 and 1997, and two Long Island Championship appearances.

Concurrently, Cherry spent decades developing young lacrosse talent. He coached middle school and junior varsity teams for 31 years, amassing over 300 wins, and led Sewanhaka High School to two playoff appearances in three seasons.

In 2007, Cherry was named Manhasset’s varsity lacrosse head coach. Over a ten-season tenure through 2016, he forged a 154-38 record. Under his direction, Manhasset won seven division championships, three Nassau County crowns, three Long Island titles, and consecutive Class C New York State Championships in 2009 and 2010. His 2015 team also finished as the Class B State runner-up.

At the peak of his career, Cherry led Manhasset to national prominence, securing rankings of No. 3 in 2009 and No. 2 in 2010. This run included a 46-game winning streak and a perfect 20-0 season. His 2009 and 2010 squads received the Long Island Metropolitan Lacrosse Foundation’s Founders Cup as the top team in Nassau County.
Cherry mentored 15 High School All-Americans and earned consecutive Nassau County Lacrosse Coaches Association and Newsday Coach of the Year honors in 2009 and 2010.

Beyond the sidelines, Cherry served on the NCLCA Executive Committee for ten years and was a featured presenter at the Washington State and Texas Lacrosse Coaches Associations. His national reputation was further recognized by his selection as head coach of the Under Armour All-America game and assistant coach for the Adidas Regional games.
Cherry's enduring legacy is honored through his inductions into the Manhasset Lacrosse, Manhasset Athletic, C.W. Post Football, C.W.P./LIU Athletic, and Nassau County High School Athletics Halls of Fame.

PETER FIORINI​

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Peter A. Fiorini JR has dedicated his life to family, education, leadership, and the game of lacrosse.  He has left an enduring mark on Baldwinsville and the broader lacrosse community in New York State.  

Fiorini graduated from Baldwinsville High School in 1974 before continuing his academic and athletic career at SUNY Geneseo, where he graduated in 1978.  During his four years at Geneseo, he established himself as one of the program’s most consistent performers, earning First Team ECAC honors all four seasons as a starting member of the lacrosse team.  He led the team as a captain in both his junior and senior years. 

Following graduation, Fiorini returned to his hometown of Baldwinsville, beginning a 40-year career as a history teacher in the Baldwinsville Central School District. Simultaneously, he built one of the most respected high school lacrosse programs in the state. Fiorini served as the Baldwinsville varsity lacrosse coach for 35 years, in addition to one year as the junior varsity coach and four years (post “retirement”) coaching at the modified level. 

As varsity head coach, Fiorini compiled a remarkable career record of 405 wins and 223 losses, achieving a winning percentage of 64.49 percent while competing in one of the most competitive scholastic lacrosse leagues in the country, which included fourteen-time State Champions, West Genesee.  His teams qualified for the Section III playoffs in 34 of his 35 seasons, a testament to sustained excellence and program consistency. 

Under Fiorini’s leadership, Baldwinsville reached the New York State Championship game in 1992 as the runner-up, losing to 24-0 Ward Melville. Baldwinsville captured both the Section III and Upstate Championships in that same year.  Fiorini’s teams also finished as Section III runners-up four times, in 1989, 1993,1994 and 2007.  Across his tenure, his program secured three league championships and five divisional championships. In 1986, Fiorini also coached the Empire State Games team to a silver medal, further highlighting his impact beyond Section III.

Fiorini’s influence has extended well beyond wins and championships.  Over the course of his career, he coached 22 High School All-Americans, including five athletes who earned the honor twice.  His commitment to player development and sportsmanship earned him recognition as OHSL Division Coach of the Year on three occasions.  In 2014, Section III honored Fiorini as its Man of the Year.  In 2017, he was inducted into the Upstate Lacrosse Hall of Fame and the Baldwinsville Lacrosse Hall of Fame.  He continues to serve the sport as a member of the Section III Lacrosse Committee and Baldwinsville’s Hall of Fame committee.  He continues to play lacrosse in Lake Placid for the Ultra Legends on the 70 and above team. 

Peter Fiorini, JR resides in Baldwinsville with his wife of 30 years, Lisa.  Together, they have raised four children-Joelle, Kayla, Cole, and Peter III-all while Fiorini built a legacy defined by integrity, leadership, and a lifelong dedication to young people and the game of lacrosse.  

JACK CRAWFORD​

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Jack Crawford is proudest of his accomplishments as a builder of the game of lacrosse. He first picked up a lacrosse stick as a 6 yr old, but his lacrosse career didn’t begin until his sophomore year at St. John’s High School in Washington, DC, when the Rockville, Maryland, native organized and started the school’s first lacrosse team. By his senior year, 1982, St. John’s had won the inaugural Washington Area Lacrosse League championship (one of only 2 high school leagues in the DC area at the time) and became the first Catholic high school in the District of Columbia to field a lacrosse team.

Recruited for both lacrosse and soccer by a number of colleges, Jack did a post-grad year at Pennsylvania’s Mercersburg Academy. Initially recruited by Johns Hopkins for men’s soccer, he tried out for and made the lacrosse team as a walk-on. The 1984 Johns Hopkins team is widely regarded as one of the greatest in NCAA Men’s Lacrosse history, posting an undefeated 13-0 record, defeating Syracuse in the title game.

From 1984-88, Jack earned four varsity letters in men’s lacrosse, was a two-year starting midfielder, played in 4 NCAA Men’s DI lacrosse tournaments and is the first DC-area native to play in a men’s NCAA DI Final Four format game, as a starting midfielder in the 1986 semifinal against North Carolina. During his time at Hopkins, the Blue Jays won three DI championships, with title wins over Syracuse (1984, ‘85) and Cornell (1987). Named co-captain of the 1988 squad, he also became the first DC-area native to captain a Johns Hopkins men’s lacrosse team. Following his senior season, he was awarded JHU’s prestigious Turnball-Reynolds Award and the W. Taylor Cook Award.

During his time at Hopkins, Jack had the good fortune to be coached by, and was a teammate with, future hall-of-famers Don Zimmerman, Bill Tierney, Del Dressel, Brian Wood, Larry Quinn and Dave Pietramala.

As a soccer player, he earned three varsity letters and was co-captain of the 1986 team, which won Middle Atlantic Conference North Championship and advanced to the NCAA South Region Semifinals.

In the summer of 1988, immediately following graduation, Jack was part of a contingent of Johns Hopkins players to be sent to Japan to help coach, develop and promote the game with Japanese university students.

After Hopkins, he decided to teach and coach. Starting at Landon School in Bethesda, MD, he helped coach the Bears to 11 straight IAC championships from 1989-99 and establish Landon as a recognized national power. From 2000-2002, he was the head coach at the Thacher School in Ventura County, CA, leading them to the 2002 California Condor League Co-Championship.

He then returned to Maryland, becoming the head lacrosse coach at perennial national power Loyola Blakefield High School in Towson, MD. From 2003-20015, Jack led the Dons to three Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association “A” Conference titles and 4 title game appearances. He was named Maryland State Lacrosse Coaches Association Coach of the Year in both 2007 and 2013, amassed an overall won-loss record of 172-77, and currently ranks 24th in total wins among Maryland boys high school coaches. In 2024, Jack was inducted into the Maryland State Lacrosse Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

In 2012, Jack also had the honor of serving as an Assistant Coach on the US Men’s Under-19 National Team, helping lead them to the ILF World Championship Gold Medal in Turku, Finland.

Since 2016, he has been coaching in the men’s college lacrosse ranks. From 2016-2017, he was the assistant defensive coach at Stevenson University, followed by a term as the defensive coordinator at Pennsylvania’s Lebanon Valley College from 2018-2019. From 2020-2025, he was the head coach at Bryn Athyn College outside of Philadelphia, leading the Lions to three conference tournament berths, for which he was awarded coach-of-the-year honors in both 2023 and 2025.

Jack returned to Lebanon Valley for the 2026 season, resuming his role as the defensive coordinator for the Dutchmen.

Jack appreciates the many years of love and support he’s received from his family, former and current coaches and former teammates, and is honored to be included in this year’s NILCA celebration.

WILL LEAHY​

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William L. Leahy founded the varsity boys’ lacrosse program at La Salle College High School in 1992 and led it through 2019. Over 28 seasons, he built the Explorers into one of the nation’s premier high school programs, compiling a 512–115 record and an .817 winning percentage. In 2019, he became one of only 19 high school lacrosse coaches in the United States to reach 500 career victories.

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Under Leahy’s leadership, La Salle won five Pennsylvania state championships—in 2004, 2008, 2009, 2013, and 2019—and finished as state runner-up four times. The Explorers also captured 23 Philadelphia Catholic League titles. In 2008, Lacrosse Magazine ranked La Salle No. 1 in the nation.

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Leahy’s influence is reflected in the achievements of his players. During his tenure, they earned 290 All-Catholic selections, 94 All-State honors, 61 All-American honors, 24 Academic All-American honors, and five Under Armour All-American selections. Many continued their careers at leading college programs, and 10 went on to play professionally in Major League Lacrosse or the Premier Lacrosse League. His former players include two-time U.S. national team member Tucker Durkin and Matthew Rambo, the 2017 Tewaaraton Award winner.

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Leahy also served the game at the national level. As an assistant coach and manager for the 2016 U.S. men’s under-19 national team, he helped the team win the Federation of International Lacrosse World Championship. Team members selected him to receive the Graham Lester Spirit of Lacrosse Award in recognition of his influence and contribution. He later served as an evaluator for the 2020 U.S. under-19 team, coached in the 2008 Under Armour All-America Game, and contributed to USA Lacrosse through coaching, selection, education, and leadership roles.

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His honors include induction into the Montgomery County Coaches Hall of Fame (2010), the USA Lacrosse Eastern Pennsylvania Hall of Fame (2012), the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame (2017), and the La Salle College High School Hall of Athletics (2021). He was named Philadelphia Inquirer Coach of the Year in 1997 and 2004, US Lacrosse Eastern Pennsylvania Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2017, and PhillyLacrosse.com Coach of the Year in 2019.

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Beyond the varsity sideline, Leahy founded and directed the La Salle Quickstick Lacrosse Camp for more than two decades and held coaching and leadership roles with HEADstrong and NXT Sports.

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William Leahy’s legacy reaches beyond his championships and victories. He built a program, helped hundreds of young men grow as players and people, and contributed to lacrosse at the local, regional, and national levels. His induction into the National Interscholastic Lacrosse Coaches Association Hall of Fame Class of 2026 honors that lasting impact.

BOBBY HEALEY​

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For more than three decades, Bobby Healy has dedicated his life to the game of lacrosse as a player, coach, mentor, and leader. A Long Island native and Wesley College graduate, Bobby was a four-year, two-sport athlete, playing linebacker in football and midfielder in lacrosse, where he was a two-time captain. He began his coaching career at Wesley, serving as an assistant coach in both football and lacrosse. From 1995 to 2018, he helped guide the Wesley football program to six South Region Championships, 12 conference championships, and six NCAA Division III semifinal appearances. As an assistant with the lacrosse program, he also contributed to two ECAC championships.

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After coaching at Wesley and Dover High School, Bobby became the head lacrosse coach at Salesianum School in 2006. Under his leadership, the program has captured 15 Delaware State Championships, made four additional championship appearances, and compiled an outstanding 359–61 overall record. Salesianum has also earned national recognition and rankings in multiple seasons, competing against and defeating some of the nation’s premier high school programs. He has coached 41 All-Americans and numerous collegiate athletes, including players who went on to win national championships at the Division I, II, and III levels. His dedication and success have earned him numerous honors, including multiple Delaware Coach of the Year awards, Philly Lacrosse Coach of the Year, and USA Today Coach of the Year.

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Bobby is quick to recognize that his journey has been shaped by many who came before him. He especially acknowledges Mike Delia, Kevin Colbeck, Mike Drass, Tom Rotanz, Jack Moran, Mike Bowler, and his assistant coaches at Salesianum for the tremendous impact they had on his playing and coaching career.

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Most importantly, Bobby credits his wife, Sheri, and daughters, Olivia and McKenna, for their unwavering support throughout his coaching journey. Their encouragement has allowed him to pursue his passion while building a legacy defined not only by championships, but by the lives of the young men he has coached, mentored, and inspired.

HARRY MOHRMAN​

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Harry Mohrman’s life in sports began at Mineola High School, where he played football, basketball, and lacrosse for coaches Dresch Hafner, Bruce Gehrke, and Pete Kuchinski. He went on to play football and basketball at Gettysburg College before transferring to Montana State. He credits his college coaches for his dedication to coaching and his love for sport: John Yovicsin, Bob Davies, and Tony Storti.

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Mohrman signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a defensive end, but a knee injury during training camp led to his release. After recovering, he continued playing football in the Continental Football League. During his summers, he worked as a lifeguard at Bar Beach, played lacrosse in the Jones Beach League, and played basketball with the Floral Park Bombers.

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At Freeport High School, Harry coached football for 18 years, including eight as varsity head coach, and also coached junior varsity basketball. His deepest commitment was to lacrosse: he coached the sport at Freeport for more than 50 years, guiding generations of Red Devils players. The Nassau County Lacrosse Coaches Association credits him with 427 coaching victories.

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Harry’s former players remember far more than his knowledge of the game. They credit him as a positive role model and a father figure to many young athletes, someone who cared about the people they became as much as the players they were. His “Be the Best” mentality encouraged them to bring their full effort to lacrosse and to life beyond the field.

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His service extended beyond Freeport. Harry volunteered as a coach with Long Island Pride and the Huntington Boys Club. He also organized and ran the Freeport Jamboree for 32 years, creating opportunities for young players to compete and enjoy the game. Harry would always be seen annually coaching Nassau County’s South Shore all –star teams honoring the top players in the County.

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Harry received Man of the Year awards from both the NCLOA and the NCLCA. The NCLCA also recognized him as Coach of the Year in 1984 and Jim Amen Jr. Man of the Year in 2019. His induction into the National Interscholastic Lacrosse Coaches Association Hall of Fame Class of 2026 honors his decades of coaching, mentorship, and service to lacrosse on Long Island.

LOU CORSETTI​

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Lou Corsetti
Lou Corsetti has devoted more than 50 years to lacrosse as a coach, mentor, educator, and leader. Known for his energy, tactical knowledge, and commitment to developing players, he has helped grow the game across Georgia, the Southeast, and the nation. Throughout his coaching career, he has mentored more than 50 All-Americans and 250 All-State athletes, emphasizing character, discipline, and mental agility alongside success on the field.

Coach Lou’s honors include the 2023 USA Lacrosse Coach of the Year award for Classes 1A–4A, the 2022 Brian Snitker APIEVO Coach of the Year award, and Georgia Lacrosse Man of the Year in 2000. He was inducted into the Georgia Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2011 and is a member of the National Interscholastic Lacrosse Coaches Association Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

His coaching experience ranges from youth programs to college lacrosse. He was an assistant coach at Farmingdale University in 1982 and at the Allen Stevenson School in New York City from 1983 through 1985. In Georgia, he served as head coach in the North Georgia Club Lacrosse League from 2002 to 2004, head coach at Pace Academy Middle School from 2004 to 2009, head coach of Junior Team Georgia from 2004 to 2006, and head coach of Senior Team Georgia from 2005 to 2006. He was an assistant coach at Kennesaw State University in 2006 and a head community coach at Riverwood High School from 2009 to 2014. He coached at the Marist School in Atlanta from 2014 to 2019 and was head lacrosse coach at Fellowship Christian School from 2019 to 2026. His college coaching experience also includes serving as head coach at the University of Georgia.

Coach Lou helped build opportunities for young players throughout metro Atlanta. He was president of Atlanta Youth Lacrosse from 1992 to 2020, a founding member of the Georgia Youth Lacrosse Association from 2002 to 2006, and director of the Atlanta Coyotes from 2007 to 2019.

His service to the sport has extended to coach education and national leadership. He was a board member and president of the US Lacrosse Foundation’s Georgia Chapter from 2002 to 2005, an executive board member of US Lacrosse from 2005 to 2007, and a member of its Youth Council from 2003 to 2010. He also served as a USA Lacrosse regional director. A 20-time speaker at the USA Lacrosse National Convention, he has shared his knowledge of coaching, leadership, and player development with coaches and athletes from across the country.

Coach Lou is a USA Lacrosse Coach Education Program Level 1, 2, and 3 certified coach and a USA Lacrosse Level I, II, and III certified trainer. He has been a member of the National Youth Sports Coaches Association since 1991 and a certified clinician with the organization since 1999. He is also a member of the Positive Coaching Alliance.

Beyond lacrosse, Coach Lou serves as president of the Gordon J. Corsetti Mental Agility Foundation. Honoring the legacy of his late son, Gordon, he works to advance mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and QPR Gatekeeper training. He travels the country delivering keynotes and workshops for youth programs, college teams, military veterans, and corporate groups, encouraging people to build resilience and “take care of their crew.”

BILL MARTENS​

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Bill Martens was a most unique, and brilliant coach and strategist. He was a high school social studies teacher, plus a long-time football and lacrosse coach at Half Hollow Hills High School. After 15 years as the head lacrosse coach, he joined the varsity lacrosse staff at Ward Melville High School, where he served as the defensive coordinator for 32 seasons. He coached at Ward Melville from 1974 to 2005. During his time at Ward Melville, the team had a record of 605 wins and 53 losses, for a .919 winning percentage. For 8 of his 32 seasons, Bill’s backer defense contributed to undefeated seasons, one (1976) resulting in a Long Island Championship and the other 7 (1978,1988,1989,1992,1997,1999, and 2000) resulting in New York State Class A Championships. The 1992 and 2000 teams were awarded a Number One in the Country honor. Over Bill’s 32 seasons, 17 members of the team’s defense were awarded All-American honors. In addition to being inducted into the National Interscholastic Lacrosse Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Bill was voted into the Long Island Metropolitan Lacrosse Foundation Hall of Fame in 1990, and the Ward Melville High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009.

Bill’s defensive concept, known as the Ward Melville Backer Defense, is known throughout New York State’s high school lacrosse world. His concept confused many offensive schemes over the years. He was admired and respected by all who came to know him during his time at Ward Melville. Bill passed away in 2014, followed by his wife, Helen, who passed away in 2024. They are survived by their children: Jeanne, Annie, Barbara, Robert, Joseph, Susan, Richard, and Joseph.