The Orange unveiled the 2009 NCAA Championship trophy Wednesday at Manley Field House.
'09 Trophy Makes Its Debut In The Hall of Champions
5/27/2009 2:26:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The 2009 national championship trophy took its place in the trophy hall at Manley Field House on Wednesday, May 27. The trophy was unveiled to athletic department staff and friends of the lacrosse program in a brief ceremony Wednesday morning.
The presentation of the trophy was accompanied by a short highlight film featuring clips from Monday's dramatic 10-9 overtime win versus Cornell in the national title game. Director of Athletics Dr. Daryl Gross and SU head coach John Desko each said a few words and congratulated the assistant coaches and athletic department support staff for their efforts this season. The departing seniors also each said a few words.
“One thing that game showed us all is that no matter what, Syracuse always fights and the fight to the finish,” Gross said. “The game isn't over until these guys say the game is over and that's what they did on Monday. It's just incredible what's happened the last few years and John (Desko) and his staff have carried the torch as an example for everybody as to what we're trying to strive for here at Syracuse athletics and that's to be extraordinary.”
"I couldn't be prouder,” Desko said. “We talk about national championships and we talk about 11 of them and it started in 1983 with Coach Simmons Jr. and for me to have worked with him for so many years, 19 as an assistant, and now 11 as a head coach, it's just been a great experience.
“In the back of your mind, you have the notion that you've already won it a year ago, so I think the toughest thing for these guys and the coaching staff was to refocus and concentrate on one game at a time. These guys kept their focus all year long.”
The Orange tied the school record for wins for the second straight season with a 16-2 record to bring home its record 11th NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship and the fifth during Desko's tenure as head coach. With Monday's triumph, Syracuse became the first program to win back-to-back national titles since Princeton won three in a row in the 1990's.
The presentation of the trophy was accompanied by a short highlight film featuring clips from Monday's dramatic 10-9 overtime win versus Cornell in the national title game. Director of Athletics Dr. Daryl Gross and SU head coach John Desko each said a few words and congratulated the assistant coaches and athletic department support staff for their efforts this season. The departing seniors also each said a few words.
“One thing that game showed us all is that no matter what, Syracuse always fights and the fight to the finish,” Gross said. “The game isn't over until these guys say the game is over and that's what they did on Monday. It's just incredible what's happened the last few years and John (Desko) and his staff have carried the torch as an example for everybody as to what we're trying to strive for here at Syracuse athletics and that's to be extraordinary.”
"I couldn't be prouder,” Desko said. “We talk about national championships and we talk about 11 of them and it started in 1983 with Coach Simmons Jr. and for me to have worked with him for so many years, 19 as an assistant, and now 11 as a head coach, it's just been a great experience.
“In the back of your mind, you have the notion that you've already won it a year ago, so I think the toughest thing for these guys and the coaching staff was to refocus and concentrate on one game at a time. These guys kept their focus all year long.”
The Orange tied the school record for wins for the second straight season with a 16-2 record to bring home its record 11th NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship and the fifth during Desko's tenure as head coach. With Monday's triumph, Syracuse became the first program to win back-to-back national titles since Princeton won three in a row in the 1990's.
Postgame | #7 Syracuse at #19 Penn
Monday, March 02
HIGHLIGHTS | #7 Men's Lacrosse at #19 Penn
Sunday, March 01
HIGHLIGHTS | #7 Men's Lacrosse at #10 Princeton
Saturday, February 28
Postgame | #7 Syracuse at #10 Princeton
Saturday, February 28
