Bill Ritch, Lacrosse, 1938-1941
Attack
Bill Ritch was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1972. He was a three-time All-American while at Syracuse University. He was known for his success as a high school lacrosse coach at Sewanhaka High School, in which his career record was 262-54-1. His team was undefeated for eight consecutive seasons (1948-1957), won 11 consecutive championships (1949-1959), and broke the National High School record by winning 91 consecutive games.
Career: Played for Crescent Athletic Club (Brooklyn)…Head lacrosse coach at Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park, N.Y.…Named Nassay County Coach of the Year in 1972…Recipient of the Dartmouth Alumni Trophy…Received the USLCA Secondary School Area Coach of the Year Award…In 1970 and 1971, coached the Long Island Athletic Club to the U.S. Lacrosse Club Championship.
Senior Year (1941): Received honorable mention as an All-American…Selected as team captain.
Junior Year (1940): Selected as a third-team All-American…Played for the North in the first North/South Collegiate All-Star game.
Freshman Year (1938): Selected as a third-team All-American.
Personal: William N. Ritch…Played for Peekskill Military Academy…Served in the military from 1941-1945…Served as Lacrosse Chairman of the South Shore Athletic League in Nassau County, the Nassau County Athletic Association and the New York State Public High School Athletic Association…Member of the Executive Committee of the USLCA (1956, ’57 and ’69)…Served as vice president in 1958 and 1959 and as president for three terms (1960-1962)…Member of the Executive board of USILA in 1963 and 1964…Awarded the Governors Trophy in 1970 by Hero’s, Inc. for 25 years of dedication to the game of lacrosse…Also taught health, physical education and river education at Sewanhaka.
