This is an educational overview of the Navy Midshipmen men's lacrosse program, based on the Wikipedia article. Read the full source article here. (opens in new tab)

Naval Powerhouse

A deep dive into the storied history, unparalleled achievements, and enduring legacy of the Navy Midshipmen men's lacrosse program.

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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 Navyโ€“Marine 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 96โ€“14โ€“1 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

Year National Championships Coach Record
1928 USILA Gold Medal (with Johns Hopkins, Maryland, and Rutgers) George Finlayson 7โ€“1โ€“1
1929 USILA Championship George Finlayson 9โ€“0โ€“0
1938 USILA Championship William "Dinty" Moore 7โ€“0โ€“0
1943 USILA Championship William "Dinty" Moore 7โ€“1โ€“0
1945 USILA Co-Championship (with Army) William "Dinty" Moore 6โ€“2โ€“1
1946 USILA Championship William "Dinty" Moore 8โ€“2โ€“0
1949 USILA Co-Championship (with Johns Hopkins) William "Dinty" Moore 11โ€“0โ€“0
1954 USILA Championship William "Dinty" Moore 10โ€“0โ€“0
1960 USILA Championship Willis Bilderback 10โ€“1โ€“0
1961 USILA Co-Championship (with Army) Willis Bilderback 9โ€“2โ€“0
1962 USILA Championship Willis Bilderback 10โ€“1โ€“0
1963 USILA Championship Willis Bilderback 8โ€“1โ€“0
1964 USILA Championship Willis Bilderback 10โ€“0โ€“0
1965 USILA Championship Willis Bilderback 12โ€“0โ€“0
1966 USILA Championship Willis Bilderback 11โ€“1โ€“0
1967 USILA Co-Championship (with Maryland and Johns Hopkins) Willis Bilderback 9โ€“2โ€“0
1970 USILA Co-Championship (with Johns Hopkins and Virginia) Willis Bilderback 11โ€“1โ€“0

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 (1908โ€“1910)
  • George Finlayson (1911โ€“1935)
  • William "Dinty" Moore (1936โ€“1958)
  • Willis Bilderback (1959โ€“1972)
  • Dick Szlasa (1973โ€“1982)
  • Bryan Matthews (1983โ€“1994)
  • Richie Meade (1995โ€“2011)
  • Rick Sowell (2012โ€“2019)
  • Joe Amplo (2020โ€“Present)

Home Turf Advantage

Navyโ€“Marine Corps Memorial Stadium

The Midshipmen play their home contests at the Navyโ€“Marine 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.

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References

References

  1.  Navy claims fifth Patriot League men's lacrosse tournament title, Patriot League, May 26, 2009.
  2.  NCAA Archived Team-By-Team Final Statistics, Navy's Year-By-Year W/L Record, 2009.
A full list of references for this article are available at the Navy Midshipmen men's lacrosse Wikipedia page

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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.