University of Delaware Athletics
Men's Lacrosse Celebrates Its 75th Season
2/24/2023 4:23:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
NEWARK, Del. – This year, the Delaware men's lacrosse program celebrates its 75th season. Throughout the spring, Delaware athletics will take a look back, celebrate, and honor the rich traditions of the men's lacrosse program. At each home game during the season, different programs will be recognized during the game in a variety of ways. All Delaware men's lacrosse alumni are invited back to the 75th Anniversary game on April 8 when the Blue Hens take on Fairfield inside Delaware Stadium.
To kick things off, the 1948 team, also known as team one, was recognized during the St. John's game back on Feb. 18. The 1948 team was led by head coach Henry Rawstrom and Don Swan, who ranks seventh in program history in goals with 127. The Blue Hens picked up the programs first ever win against Franklin and Marshall 10-1.
The 1961 team will be recognized against Villanova on Sunday, Feb. 26. The Blue Hens finished 8-2, which was tied for the most wins in program history during the time. It was the first time the men's lacrosse program ever won the Middle Atlantic Conference regular season title. UD was led by head coach Ed Maley, and goaltender Jim Pappas, who had 167 saves, and was named Penndel's Most Valuable Player.
On Saturday, March 4 against Michigan, the 1984 team will be recognized. UD was led by legendary head coach Bob Shillinglaw. Four of the teams that will be recognized were coached under Shillinglaw. The Blue Hens went 12-4 that season and made their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. Delaware had three athletes who were recognized as USILA All-American Honorable Mentions, Randy Powers, Dan Harley, and Steve Shaw. Shaw would go on to receive two more All-American Recognitions while Powers was a USILA Second-Team All-American in 1985 and 1986. Powers currently ranks second all-time in Blue Hens history for goals in a career with 161.
On Tuesday, March 7 against UMBC and on March 11 Monmouth, two teams from the 1990s will be recognized.
Delaware will first recognize the 1994 team against UMBC. The Blue Hens went 8-6 that season, including a 4-0 record in conference. This led the Blue Hens to its third consecutive North Atlantic Conference regular season title. The Blue Hens were led by Anthony DiMarzo, who holds the all-time program record for points in a career at 251, and assists in a career at 151.
The 1999 team will be recognized against Monmouth. The 1999 team finished the season with a 14-3 record, which led to the program's first of two American East Conference regular season titles, and the program's second-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Blue Hens picked up their first-ever NCAA Tournament win against UMBC in a thrilling 12-11 OT victory. UD was led by John Grant, who was named a USILA First-Team All-American that season. He is the only Blue Hen to ever be recognized as a USILA First-Team All-American.
On April 1, against Hampton, the 2007 team will be recognized. The Blue Hens went 13-6 that season, which led to their first-ever appearance in the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament. The Blue Hens defeated Virginia 14-8 in the First Round, and UMBC 10-6 in the Quarterfinals. The 2007 roster was one of the most talented rosters in program history, including the likes of Jordan Hall, Curtis Dickson, Alex Smith, and Brett Manney. Hall went on to be the first overall pick in the NLL draft in 2007, while Dickson and Manney currently play in the NLL. Dickson plays for the San Diego Seals in the NLL, and Choas LC in the PLL. Dickson currently holds the program record for goals in a career with 162. Manney plays for the Albany FireWolves. In addition, Alex Smith was inducted into the Delaware Hall of Fame in 2012.
On April 8 against Fairfield, Delaware will host its 75th-anniversary game. All alumni are invited to attend, and will include a pregame tailgate, exclusive giveaway, complimentary Whitney Athletic Center Stadium Club access, and an on-field recognition during the game. More information on the event and how to register will be released soon.
In the final home regular season game against Drexel, the Blue Hens will recognize the 2022 team. The Blue Hens finished 13-6 that season, which led to a share of the CAA Regular Season, and tournament titles. It was the program's first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2007. The Blue Hens went on to defeat Robert Morris 20-8 in the Opening Round of the NCAA Tournament and upset No. 2 seed Georgetown 10-9 in one of the biggest upsets in program history. JP Ward scored the game-winning goal with eight seconds left. Many of the players on the 2022 team returned for the 2023 season, including Ward, Tye Kurtz, Mike Robinson, and Matt Kilkeary.
Please consider making a gift to Delaware Men's Lacrosse in honor of the program's 75th anniversary. Your support of the men's lacrosse program allows us to continue to provide an exceptional student-athlete experience to our Blue Hen student-athletes, providing them with the tools they need to continue their tradition of excellence
