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15 Names and Stories Every Lacrosse Player Needs to Know

Knowledge is power. Education means progress. Who are these people? What do they represent? What can we learn from their stories? What’s their legacy? With the help of the internet and Wikipedia, here are 15 names that every lacrosse player and fan should know.

George Boardi


A four-year starter and 2004 captain at Cornell, who Tragically lost his life at the age of 22 while competing in a game on Schoellkopf Field. George’s ideal’s “Hard Hat 21” have become the fabric of the Big Red’s culture.

Welles Crowther


Crowther was an attackman from Nyack High School and Boston College who became an equities trader as well as a volunteer firefighter. He’s known for saving as many as 18 lives during the September 11th attacks in New York City, during which he lost his own life. The story of the “Man in the Red Bandanna” has become a national phenomenon.

Sgt. James J. Regan


Known as Jimmy to teammates at Chaminade and Duke (2002), Regan, a midfielder, bypassed a Wall Street job and graduate school to pursue his dream of serving the United States after being inspired by the September 11th attacks. Sgt. Regan was killed in action in 2007 while serving in the Army’s 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in Iraq. Duke Men’s Lacrosse wears JR10 on their helmets to this day.

Peter Kohn


Peter Kohn was a longtime manager at Middlebury College and Team USA Lacrosse. In 2004, Kohn was inducted into the Hall of Fame. In 2005, a movie was created about his life, called Keeper of the Kohn. He passed away in 2009 at age 77.

Jim Brown


A Long Island native and Syracuse lacrosse, football, and track sta. Brown played running back for the Cleveland Browns from 1957 through 1965 before being inducted into both the lacrosse and NFL Hall of Fame. Brown is the best athlete to ever carry a lacrosse stick.

Jack Turnbull


Turnbull attended Johns Hopkins in the early 1930s and was named a three-time All-American, widely regarded as one of the best to ever play. He was the captain of the U.S. team during the 1932 Summer Olympics. Turnbull enlisted in the Maryland National Guard as an aviation cadet and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He was mobilized in February 1941, just prior to the U.S. entry into World War II. On October 20, 1944 he died when his B-24 crashed in Belgium while returning from a bombing run over Germany. The Turnbull Award is given to the top collegiate attackman in the country.

Lt. Raymond Enners


Lt. Raymond Enners attended and played for the United States Military Academy at West Point before serving in the army during the Vietnam War where he was killed in action. In 2016, Richard Enners authored the book “Heart of Gray” which is a story about his brother Ray and his sacrifice in Vietnam. The Enners award goes to the NCAA national player of the year.

Yeardley Love


University of Virginia Women’s Lacrosse player who was murdered by George Huguely on May 3, 2010. In her memory, the One Love Foundation now prevents abuse by teaching the warning signs and empowers people to embark in healthy relationships.

Oren Lyons


92 year old former Syracuse goaltender who’s the Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan. Lyons actively advocates for the rights of Indigenous peoples. He is an artist and the founder of the Haudenosaunee lacrosse team, who’s life work has been integral in connecting the modern game to its indigenous roots.

Mike Nifong


District attorney for Durham County, NC, until he was removed, disbarred, and jailed following court findings concerning his conduct in the Duke lacrosse case. Nifong’s damage to the sport was enormous.

Noelle Lambert


UMass-Lowell lacrosse player, now para-athlete and founder of The Born to Run Foundation. Noelle lost her left leg in a moped accident in 2016 and recently set the American 100m sprint record. Her foundation provides young amputees specialized prosthetics that allows them to lead fulfilling lives and pursue their athletic dreams. Noelle is also a castaway on season 43 of the TV show Survivor. Her perseverance and success in the face of adversity is a lesson for all.

Rob Kavovit


The youngest boy in a family of six children, Kavovit stood out at Yorktown and Syracuse, winning the NCAA title in 1995. He was one of the most versatile players I’ve ever witnessed, doing whatever was necessary to win. He took his own life at age 45 in 2021 leaving a wife and two sons.

Lifetime friend Paul Carcaterra adds perspective.

“You will meet teammates who are like family through this sport. Rob was my closest friend. We spent almost everyday together from grade school through college. As well as you may think you know someone, never assume that life is easy for them. Have difficult conversations with those who you love, be transparent, and vulnerable.”
– Paul Carcaterra

Lt. Brendan Looney


Former Navy Men’s Lacrosse player who was killed in September of 2010, when his SEAL helicopter crashed in the mountains of Afghanistan. Looney played in the 2004 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship game alongside his brothers Stephen and Billy. We remember him and those who sacrifice their lives for our freedom when the flag is unfurled on Memorial Day. We will never forget.

Ten Bears


Morgan State, an HBCU in Baltimore, defeated Notre Dame, Georgetown, Villanova, Michigan State, Harvard and upset No.1 ranked Washington & Lee in 1975. With coach Chip Silverman, the Bears became the first historically black college to field an NCAA team. Due to financial constraints, the program was cancelled in 1981. The team’s exploits are recounted in the book Ten Bears.

Eamon McEneaney


Cornell super-star of the late 70s and employee of Cantor Fitzgerald, died during the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center. A two-sport athlete while in college, McEneaney’s speed, flair and go-for-it mentality defined Cornell’s rise to power. “The Wild Irish Rose” was a charismatic figure, father, music lover, and poet.