Naval Powerhouse
A deep dive into the storied history, unparalleled achievements, and enduring legacy of the Navy Midshipmen men's lacrosse program.
Explore History ๐ View Championships ๐Dive in with Flashcard Learning!
๐ฎ Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game๐ฎ
Program Overview
Foundation & Affiliation
Established in 1908, the Navy Midshipmen men's lacrosse program represents the esteemed United States Naval Academy. Located in Annapolis, Maryland, the team competes as a distinguished member of the Patriot League in NCAA Division I lacrosse.
Identity & Home
Known affectionately as the "Midshipmen," the team proudly dons its official colors of Navy Blue and Gold. Their home games are hosted at the impressive NavyโMarine Corps Memorial Stadium, which boasts a capacity of 34,000 spectators.
Leadership
The program's current trajectory is guided by Head Coach Joe Amplo, who assumed leadership beginning with the 2020 season, bringing strategic vision and dedication to the team's continued development and success.
A Legacy Forged in Competition
Early Foundations and Growth
The genesis of lacrosse at the Naval Academy dates back to 1908, initiated by former Johns Hopkins players Frank Breyer and Bill Hudgins. The team played its inaugural game on April 4th of that year. Under Coach George Finlayson, who took the helm in 1911, Navy achieved its first undefeated season. The period spanning from mid-1916 to the conclusion of the 1923 season saw an extraordinary undefeated streak of 45 consecutive games, a testament to the program's early prowess.
The Moore and Bilderback Eras
William "Dinty" Moore, a notable figure who also founded the lacrosse program at St. John's College, coached Navy for 23 years starting in 1936. His tenure was marked by significant success, including six national championships. Later, Willis Bilderback, an alumnus of Rutgers, led the Midshipmen from 1959 through 1972. This era, often termed the "Decade of Dominance," saw the team achieve a remarkable 96โ14โ1 record and secure eight consecutive national championships, including six outright titles, largely driven by a formidable defense and the talent of Hall of Fame attackman Jimmy Lewis.
Modern Era and Conference Play
Following Bilderback's retirement due to health issues, Dick Szlasa took over, guiding Navy to ten consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. Subsequent coaches, including Bryan Matthews and Richie Meade, continued to build upon the program's foundation. Navy joined a conference for the first time in 2000, entering the ECAC Lacrosse League, before transitioning to the Patriot League in 2004. Since joining the Patriot League, the Midshipmen have consistently finished at or near the top of the standings, securing multiple regular season and tournament championships.
A Tradition of Excellence
National Championship Pedigree
The Navy Midshipmen boast an exceptional record of achievement in collegiate lacrosse, marked by numerous national championships. Prior to the NCAA tournament era, the team secured 17 national titles, including 2 USILA Gold Medals and 15 Wingate Memorial Trophy awards. The program's dominance in the 1960s, under Coach Bilderback, resulted in eight consecutive national championships.
Since the inception of the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship in 1971, the Midshipmen have consistently been a formidable presence. They have reached the NCAA Final Four on eight occasions and have been crowned NCAA Tournament Runner-Up twice. Their sustained success is further evidenced by 20 appearances in the Quarterfinals and a total of 27 NCAA Tournament appearances throughout their history.
Conference Dominance
As a member of the Patriot League since 2004, Navy has established a strong conference presence. The team has secured eight conference regular season championships and five Patriot League tournament titles, underscoring their consistent performance within the league.
Detailed Championship Records
Guiding the Midshipmen
Historical Leadership
The Navy Midshipmen men's lacrosse program has been shaped by dedicated coaches throughout its history. Key figures include:
- Frank Breyer & Bill Hudgins (1908โ1910)
- George Finlayson (1911โ1935)
- William "Dinty" Moore (1936โ1958)
- Willis Bilderback (1959โ1972)
- Dick Szlasa (1973โ1982)
- Bryan Matthews (1983โ1994)
- Richie Meade (1995โ2011)
- Rick Sowell (2012โ2019)
- Joe Amplo (2020โPresent)
Home Turf Advantage
NavyโMarine Corps Memorial Stadium
The Midshipmen play their home contests at the NavyโMarine Corps Memorial Stadium, located in Annapolis, Maryland. This significant venue provides a capacity of 34,000, offering a substantial home-field advantage and a fitting stage for collegiate lacrosse.
Fierce Competitors
Historic Rivalries
The Navy Midshipmen maintain intense rivalries with several prominent collegiate programs. Among their most significant adversaries are Army, Maryland, and Johns Hopkins. These matchups are often characterized by fierce competition and deep historical significance within the lacrosse community.
Individual Accolades
The MacLaughlin Award
The Lt. Donald MacLaughlin Jr. Award, established in 1973 by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA), recognizes the most outstanding midfielder in NCAA Divisions I, II, and III. Named in honor of Lt. (j.g.) Donald MacLaughlin Jr., an All-American Navy midfielder lost in Vietnam in 1966, this award signifies exceptional skill and leadership on the field.
Notable Alumni
Honored Athletes
The program has produced numerous talented athletes who have left their mark on the sport. Among the distinguished players is Jimmy Lewis, a Hall of Fame attackman who was instrumental during the Midshipmen's dominant "Decade of Dominance" in the 1960s. Furthermore, the United States Naval Academy Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes many lacrosse players for their outstanding contributions to the sport and the Academy.
Teacher's Corner
Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Click here to open the "Navy Midshipmen Men S Lacrosse" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit
Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.
True or False?
Test Your Knowledge!
Gamer's Corner
Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!
Play now
References
References
- Navy claims fifth Patriot League men's lacrosse tournament title, Patriot League, May 26, 2009.
- NCAA Archived Team-By-Team Final Statistics, Navy's Year-By-Year W/L Record, 2009.
Feedback & Support
To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.
Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
This is not professional sports analysis or advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional consultation regarding sports history, statistics, or team performance. Always refer to official athletic department resources and consult with qualified sports historians or analysts for specific insights.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.