Syracuse duo set to lead Jacksonville
6/10/2016 12:29:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
Galloway named Dolphins head coach; tabs Powell as offensive coordinator
A pair of Syracuse legends and two of the best players at their respective positions in the game's history will lead the Jacksonville men's lacrosse program, the University announced on Friday. John Galloway will be the program's head coach, while Casey Powell will serve as the offensive coordinator.
"It's exciting to see two Syracuse grads getting head and assistant coaching jobs at a new and exciting program," said head coach John Desko. "I look forward to watching Jacksonville's improvement during their tenure."
The Dolphins added men's lacrosse in 2010 and Galloway is the third head coach in the program's history.
A two-time NCAA Champion and twice recipient of the Ensign C. Markland Kelly Jr. Award for the nation's most outstanding goaltender, Galloway helped lead the Orange to the NCAA Championship in 2008 and 2009.
"John Galloway is exactly the right person to be the next head coach of our men's lacrosse program,'' Jacksonville Director of Athletics Ricker-Gilbert said. "After an exhaustive search, there was no doubt in my mind that he is who we need to lead our young men forward. John has had success at every level both playing and coaching and his passion for student-athletes and the game was evident from our first conversation. He is a person of the highest character and that trait carries more weight than any other. I am thrilled to welcome John to the JU family."
Galloway, who spent the past-four seasons on the Providence men's lacrosse staff, concluded his career as the NCAA all-time leader in wins (59) and minutes played by a goalie (3,776). He posed a career record of 59-8 and still ranks eighth in NCAA history in career goals against average (7.33), including a 7.20 goals against average in NCAA Tournament play, which is a 'Cuse record.
The only starting goalie in NCAA history to win national championships as a freshman and sophomore, he's a two-time First Team All-American, the only Syracuse netminder to accomplish that feat.
"Lacrosse has given me opportunities that I would have never dreamed of when I first picked up a stick,'' Galloway said. "Today, one of those dreams has become a reality. I want to thank Athletic Director Alex Ricker-Gilbert, JU President (Tim) Cost and the entire Jacksonville University community for the opportunity to achieve that dream. This position marks what I believe to be the highest honor in our sport: coach, teacher and mentor.''
Galloway was also the program's first two-time national academic All-American after majoring in public relations at Newhouse. The West Genesee alum was the BIG EAST Goaltender of the Year in 2010 and 2011, Syracuse's first-two seasons in the conference and was a Tewaaraton Award finalist in his senior season.
As a coach, Galloway made a stop at Duke before joining the Providence staff, and still plays for the Rochester Rattlers in the MLL.
Powell, one of the game's greatest offensive threats in the game's history, Casey Powell was a four-time All-American at Syracuse and is the only player in NCAA history to earn both the Lt. Donald C. Maclaughlin Award as the nation's top midfielder and the Lt. Col. Jack Turnbull Award as the nation's top attackman. He was a member of the 1995 NCAA Championship team.
He is still second on Syracuse's all-time points list, trailing just his brother Mike and tied with another brother, Ryan at 287 points. Casey ranks fourth in program history with 158 goals scored and sixth in assists with 129.
"To achieve greatness, you must surround yourself with great people,'' Galloway said. "We are excited to welcome the most prominent player to ever grace our game to the Jacksonville University family. Casey Powell will join our staff as the offensive coordinator, and more importantly, an ambassador to the sport of lacrosse. Together, I believe we can establish Jacksonville University as a mainstay in the national lacrosse landscape.''
Powell has achieved success into the professional ranks as well, serving as the MLL's all-time leading scorer with 504 points. He was named the MLL Most Valuable Player in 2014 and is also a five-time all-star in the NLL as well.
