Army Black Knights men's lacrosse
Encyclopedia
The Army Black Knights men's lacrosse team represents the United States Military Academy
(USMA, commonly known as "West Point") in National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) Division I men's lacrosse
competition. During the team's 92-year history, it has won eight national championships and made fifteen postseason NCAA tournament
appearances. The team currently holds the fifth-most wins of any team, with an all-time record of 705–332–7.
. The Cadets won that season's only contest, 3–1. In 1909 and 1910, Army again fielded a lacrosse team, which mostly played local high school and club teams, but also a game each against Stevens Tech and Columbia
. In those first three seasons, Army won all ten games it played. In 1921, lacrosse returned to West Point for good. After a 2–3 mark that season, the Cadets improved to 6–1 the following year, which was the start to a 33-year streak of winning seasons. In 1923, Army finished with a 8–1–1 record and was named the national championship team by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association
(USILA).
In 1929, F. Morris Touchstone
became the head coach. He remained in that post for 29 years and became Army's all-time winningest head coach in terms of wins with a record of 214–73–4 and winning percentage
of 0.743. During this period, the lacrosse and football teams were closely connected and shared many personnel, as football players found the sport an excellent way to remain physically fit during the off-season. In both 1944 and 1945, Army won national championships in lacrosse and football.
Bill Carpenter
, the "Lonesome End" and a future Distinguished Service Cross
recipient, continued the tradition as both a football and lacrosse star. After Touchstone's death, James F. Adams
took over as head coach in 1958, and in that first season, led the Cadets to their first perfect record since 1910 and a shared national championship. He stayed on for 12 years and compiled three more shared titles and a winning percentage of 0.777. In 1961, Adams was named the national Coach of the Year.
Adams was replaced by Al Pisano. In 1971, the NCAA became the awarding authority for the lacrosse national championship and instituted the NCAA tournament
. Army participated in each of the first three events. In the inaugural tournament
, the Cadets routed Hofstra in order to advance to the final four, where Cornell
edged them by one goal. Dick Edell
replaced Pisano, and served for seven years before leaving to become Maryland's long-time coach.
During the 1980s, Army appeared in six NCAA tournaments, including five consecutive ones starting in 1981. In 1984, Jack Emmer
became head coach, and Army advanced to the final four
, before being eliminated by Syracuse
. The 1993 team finished with an 12–4 record, which included a defeat of Maryland in the first round of the NCAA tournament. In 1991, Army joined the Patriot League
, and won its first 25 consecutive conference games, a league record. In 1999, the athletic teams, formerly known as the "Cadets", officially changed their name to the "Black Knights".
Army made three straight NCAA tournament appearances from 2003 to 2005. The following season, former assistant coach Joe Alberici returned to West Point to assume the head job. That year, the Black Knights finished as runners-up in the Patriot League and narrowly missed a tournament berth. In 2008, Army earned the conference regular season championship and Alberici was named the Patriot League Coach of the Year.
, which is also the homefield of the football team
and has an official capacity of 40,000. Prior to that, Army lacrosse used "The Plain
" (the main parade ground), Clinton Field
, Daly Field, and Shea Stadium
.
(USILA) awarded the Wingate Memorial Trophy
to the NCAA Division I annual champion, based on regular-season records. Since 1971
, the annual NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship
tournament has determined the top team in NCAA Division I lacrosse. Army has been awarded eight national championships, but none since the implementation of the NCAA tournament.
{| border="0" width="100%"
| valign="top" |
{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" width="75%"
!bgcolor="#000000"| Year
!bgcolor="#000000"| National championships
!bgcolor="#000000"| Coach
!bgcolor="#000000"| Record
|- align="center"
| 1923 || USILA Championship || Talbot Hunter || 8–1–1
|- align="center"
| 1944 || Wingate Trophy
|| F. Morris Touchstone || 6–2
|- align="center"
| 1945 || Wingate Trophy (with Navy
) || F. Morris Touchstone || 5–1–1
|- align="center"
| 1951 || Wingate Trophy (with Princeton
) || F. Morris Touchstone || 8–2
|- align="center"
| 1958 || Wingate Trophy || James F. Adams || 9–0
|- align="center"
| 1959 || Wingate Trophy (with Johns Hopkins) || James F. Adams || 8–2
|- align="center"
| 1961 || Wingate Trophy (with Navy) || James F. Adams || 9–2
|- align="center"
| 1969 || Wingate Trophy (with Johns Hopkins) || James F. Adams || 10–1
|- align="center"
|}
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
(USMA, commonly known as "West Point") in National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA) Division I men's lacrosse
College lacrosse
College lacrosse refers to lacrosse played by student athletes at colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. In both countries, men's field lacrosse and women's lacrosse are played in both the varsity and club levels...
competition. During the team's 92-year history, it has won eight national championships and made fifteen postseason NCAA tournament
NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship
The annual NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship tournament determines the top men's field lacrosse team in the NCAA Division I, Division II, and Division III....
appearances. The team currently holds the fifth-most wins of any team, with an all-time record of 705–332–7.
History
The first Army lacrosse game was played in 1907 against Stevens TechStevens Institute of Technology
Stevens Institute of Technology is a technological university located on a campus in Hoboken, New Jersey, USA – founded in 1870 with an 1868 bequest from Edwin A. Stevens. It is known for its engineering, science, and technological management curricula.The institute has produced leading...
. The Cadets won that season's only contest, 3–1. In 1909 and 1910, Army again fielded a lacrosse team, which mostly played local high school and club teams, but also a game each against Stevens Tech and Columbia
Columbia Lions
The Columbia University Lions are the collective athletic teams and their members from Columbia University, an Ivy League institution in New York City, United States. The current director of athletics is M...
. In those first three seasons, Army won all ten games it played. In 1921, lacrosse returned to West Point for good. After a 2–3 mark that season, the Cadets improved to 6–1 the following year, which was the start to a 33-year streak of winning seasons. In 1923, Army finished with a 8–1–1 record and was named the national championship team by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association
United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association
The United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association is an association of institutions with varsity college lacrosse programs in all three NCAA divisions, founded in 1885.-Awards:...
(USILA).
In 1929, F. Morris Touchstone
F. Morris Touchstone
Francis Morris Touchstone was an American lacrosse coach. He served for 29 years as the head coach for the United States Military Academy's men's lacrosse team and is their all-time winningest coach by number of wins. While at Army, he led the Cadets to three national championships and 42 of his...
became the head coach. He remained in that post for 29 years and became Army's all-time winningest head coach in terms of wins with a record of 214–73–4 and winning percentage
Winning percentage
In sports, a winning percentage is the fraction of games or matches a team or individual has won. It is defined as wins divided by wins plus losses . Ties count as a ½ loss and a ½ win...
of 0.743. During this period, the lacrosse and football teams were closely connected and shared many personnel, as football players found the sport an excellent way to remain physically fit during the off-season. In both 1944 and 1945, Army won national championships in lacrosse and football.
Bill Carpenter
Bill Carpenter
William "Bill" Stanley Carpenter, Jr., LTG, U.S. Army is an American former Army officer and college football player. While playing college football, he gained national prominence as the "Lonesome End" of the Army football team...
, the "Lonesome End" and a future Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
recipient, continued the tradition as both a football and lacrosse star. After Touchstone's death, James F. Adams
Jim Adams (lacrosse)
James F. "Ace" Adams IV is an American former lacrosse coach. He served as the head coach at the United States Military Academy, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Virginia. He was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1975.-Early life and college:Adams attended St...
took over as head coach in 1958, and in that first season, led the Cadets to their first perfect record since 1910 and a shared national championship. He stayed on for 12 years and compiled three more shared titles and a winning percentage of 0.777. In 1961, Adams was named the national Coach of the Year.
Adams was replaced by Al Pisano. In 1971, the NCAA became the awarding authority for the lacrosse national championship and instituted the NCAA tournament
NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship
The annual NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship tournament determines the top men's field lacrosse team in the NCAA Division I, Division II, and Division III....
. Army participated in each of the first three events. In the inaugural tournament
1971 NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship
The 1971 NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Tournament was the first Division I NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship tournament. Prior to this the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association had voted for the national champion and, subsequently, awarded the Wingate Memorial Trophy for the NCAA...
, the Cadets routed Hofstra in order to advance to the final four, where Cornell
Cornell Big Red
The Cornell Big Red is the informal name of the sports teams, and other competitive teams, at Cornell University. The university sponsors 36 varsity sports, as well as numerous intramural and club teams. Cornell participates in NCAA Division I as part of the Ivy League.The men's and women's hockey...
edged them by one goal. Dick Edell
Dick Edell
Richard "Dick" Edell is an American former lacrosse coach. He served as the head coach for the University of Maryland, United States Military Academy, and University of Baltimore's men's lacrosse teams...
replaced Pisano, and served for seven years before leaving to become Maryland's long-time coach.
During the 1980s, Army appeared in six NCAA tournaments, including five consecutive ones starting in 1981. In 1984, Jack Emmer
Jack Emmer
John S. Emmer is a former American lacrosse coach. He retired in 2005 as the winningest lacrosse coach in NCAA history by number of wins with 326. This mark was surpassed in 2008 by Jim Berkman of Division III Salisbury University...
became head coach, and Army advanced to the final four
1984 NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship
The 1984 NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Tournament was the 14th annual Division I NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship tournament. Twelve NCAA Division I college men's lacrosse teams met after having played their way through a regular season, and for some, a conference tournament.The championship game...
, before being eliminated by Syracuse
Syracuse Orange men's lacrosse
The Syracuse Orange men's lacrosse team represents Syracuse University in NCAA Division I men's college lacrosse. The Orange have won 10 NCAA championship titles, and currently competes as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference men's lacrosse conference...
. The 1993 team finished with an 12–4 record, which included a defeat of Maryland in the first round of the NCAA tournament. In 1991, Army joined the Patriot League
Patriot League
The Patriot League is a college athletic conference which operates in the northeastern United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I) for a number of sports; in football, it participates in the Football Championship Subdivision...
, and won its first 25 consecutive conference games, a league record. In 1999, the athletic teams, formerly known as the "Cadets", officially changed their name to the "Black Knights".
Home stadium
Army currently plays its home games at Michie StadiumMichie Stadium
Michie Stadium is an outdoor football stadium located on the campus of the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York. It is the home field for the Army Black Knights. It opened in 1924 and has a current seating capacity of 38,000....
, which is also the homefield of the football team
Army Black Knights football
The Army Black Knights football program represents the United States Military Academy. Army was recognized as the national champions in 1944, 1945 and 1946....
and has an official capacity of 40,000. Prior to that, Army lacrosse used "The Plain
The Plain (West Point)
The Plain is the parade field at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. The flat terrain of the Plain is in contrast to the varied and hilly terrain of the remainder of the campus. The Plain rises approximately above the Hudson River and has been the site of the longest...
" (the main parade ground), Clinton Field
Fort Clinton
Fort Clinton was an American Revolutionary War fortification in present-day Highlands, Orange County, New York. It was a companion to Fort Montgomery. Its garrison of 300 was smaller than that of Fort Montgomery, but Fort Clinton was built on a ridge at the mouth of the Popolopen Gorge, overlooking...
, Daly Field, and Shea Stadium
Shea Stadium
William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea , was a stadium in the New York City borough of Queens, in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was the home baseball park of Major League Baseball's New York Mets from 1964 to 2008...
.
Championships
From 1934 through 1970, the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse AssociationUnited States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association
The United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association is an association of institutions with varsity college lacrosse programs in all three NCAA divisions, founded in 1885.-Awards:...
(USILA) awarded the Wingate Memorial Trophy
Wingate Memorial Trophy
The Wingate Memorial Trophy was the award given to the national champion in men's college lacrosse prior to the inception of an NCAA tournament format in 1971....
to the NCAA Division I annual champion, based on regular-season records. Since 1971
1971 NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship
The 1971 NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Tournament was the first Division I NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship tournament. Prior to this the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association had voted for the national champion and, subsequently, awarded the Wingate Memorial Trophy for the NCAA...
, the annual NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship
NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship
The annual NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship tournament determines the top men's field lacrosse team in the NCAA Division I, Division II, and Division III....
tournament has determined the top team in NCAA Division I lacrosse. Army has been awarded eight national championships, but none since the implementation of the NCAA tournament.
{| border="0" width="100%"
| valign="top" |
{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" width="75%"
!bgcolor="#000000"| Year
!bgcolor="#000000"| National championships
!bgcolor="#000000"| Coach
!bgcolor="#000000"| Record
|- align="center"
| 1923 || USILA Championship || Talbot Hunter || 8–1–1
|- align="center"
| 1944 || Wingate Trophy
Wingate Memorial Trophy
The Wingate Memorial Trophy was the award given to the national champion in men's college lacrosse prior to the inception of an NCAA tournament format in 1971....
|| F. Morris Touchstone || 6–2
|- align="center"
| 1945 || Wingate Trophy (with Navy
Navy Midshipmen men's lacrosse
The Navy Midshipmen men's lacrosse team represents the United States Naval Academy in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I men's lacrosse. Navy currently competes as a member of the Patriot League and play their home games at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland...
) || F. Morris Touchstone || 5–1–1
|- align="center"
| 1951 || Wingate Trophy (with Princeton
Princeton Tigers
The Princeton Tigers are the athletic teams of Princeton University. The school sponsors 31 varsity sports. The school has won several NCAA national championships, including one in men's fencing, six in men's lacrosse, three in women's lacrosse, and eight in men's golf...
) || F. Morris Touchstone || 8–2
|- align="center"
| 1958 || Wingate Trophy || James F. Adams || 9–0
|- align="center"
| 1959 || Wingate Trophy (with Johns Hopkins) || James F. Adams || 8–2
|- align="center"
| 1961 || Wingate Trophy (with Navy) || James F. Adams || 9–2
|- align="center"
| 1969 || Wingate Trophy (with Johns Hopkins) || James F. Adams || 10–1
|- align="center"
|}
External links
- Men's Lacrosse. GoArmySports.com.