North Carolina Tar Heels men's lacrosse
Encyclopedia
The North Carolina Tar Heels men's lacrosse team represents the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
in National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) Division I men's lacrosse
. North Carolina currently competes as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference
(ACC) and plays its home games at Fetzer Field
and Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
.
A club team was established at the school in 1937, and elevated to varsity status in 1949. Despite its relatively brief history as a Division I team, Carolina rose to national prominence in the late 1970s under Hall of Fame coach and former Johns Hopkins Blue Jay Willie Scroggs. Between 1980 and 1996, the team failed to qualify for the NCAA tournament just twice. During that span, Carolina also secured 11 ACC
titles. In 1981, the Tar Heels began a 26-game winning streak, and won the national championship that season and the next. As of 2009, Carolina ranked sixth in terms of tournament appearances, behind Johns Hopkins, Maryland, Virginia
, Syracuse
, and Navy
.
and competed in the Dixie Lacrosse League against Duke
, Virginia
, Washington & Lee, Loyola
, and the Washington Lacrosse Club. In 1949, the university conferred varsity status on the team, and in 1950, North Carolina became a member of the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association
(USILA). The following season, goalie Nick Sowell became the Tar Heels' first All-American
when he was named to the USILA Honorable Mention team.
In 1954, after compiling a combined 14-43-1 record in its first six seasons, the varsity team was disbanded by the administration in order to focus on other sports. Lacrosse returned as a varsity sport in 1964. In 1974, Paul Doty took over as head coach. That year, the school started awarding scholarships for the sport and was promoted from the small college level (now Division II and Division III) to Division I.
In 1991, first-year head coach Dave Klarmann replaced Willie Scroggs, and led the Tar Heels through an undefeated regular season. Carolina extended its winning streak throughout the postseason, first winning the ACC tournament, and then defeating Loyola
, Syracuse
, and Towson
in succession to post a perfect 16–0 mark and capture the NCAA national championship
. Klarmann's teams repeated as ACC tournament champions in 1992 before advancing to the NCAA Championship final, where they fell to third-seeded Syracuse, 13–12. In 1993 and 1994, Carolina again captured the ACC title, but suffered early exits in the NCAA tournament. In the late 1990s, the Tar Heels struggled, alternately, to qualify for or advance in the NCAA tournament. John Haus replaced Klarmann as head coach for the 2001 season. In his fourth year, Carolina advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals before losing to Johns Hopkins, 15–9. They returned to the NCAA tournament and quarterfinals in 2007, where they were defeated by second-seeded Duke, 19–11. In 2008, Carolina was knocked out of the first round by Navy.
The following year, alumnus Joe Breschi, former Ohio State
coach, took over at his alma mater. North Carolina surprised some observers when the team returned to the NCAA quarterfinals, before losing to Duke, 12–11. In 2010, The Baltimore Sun commented that "it's no longer a question whether Breschi can rebuild North Carolina, but when the Tar Heels will arrive." In his second season, Carolina again advanced to the quarterfinals before losing to Duke, 17–9. That season, North Carolina swept the ACC postseason awards, with Breschi named ACC Coach of the Year, junior attackman Billy Bitter
named ACC Player of the Year, and Marcus Holman named ACC Freshman of the Year.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
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...
. North Carolina currently competes as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
(ACC) and plays its home games at Fetzer Field
Fetzer Field
Fetzer Field is a 5,025-capacity stadium located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The stadium is home to the North Carolina Tar Heels men's and women's soccer teams as well as the men's lacrosse and track and field teams. It has also hosted the NCAA Women's Soccer Championship on several occasions...
and Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Chapel Hill is a town in Orange County, North Carolina, United States and the home of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and UNC Health Care...
.
A club team was established at the school in 1937, and elevated to varsity status in 1949. Despite its relatively brief history as a Division I team, Carolina rose to national prominence in the late 1970s under Hall of Fame coach and former Johns Hopkins Blue Jay Willie Scroggs. Between 1980 and 1996, the team failed to qualify for the NCAA tournament just twice. During that span, Carolina also secured 11 ACC
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
titles. In 1981, the Tar Heels began a 26-game winning streak, and won the national championship that season and the next. As of 2009, Carolina ranked sixth in terms of tournament appearances, behind Johns Hopkins, Maryland, Virginia
Virginia Cavaliers men's lacrosse
The Virginia Cavaliers men's lacrosse team represents the University of Virginia in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I men's lacrosse...
, 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...
, and 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...
.
History
The first lacrosse team was formed in 1937 at the club level. At the time, they used old equipment from the football teamNorth Carolina Tar Heels football
The North Carolina Tar Heels football team represents the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in collegiate level football. In Carolina’s first 121 seasons of football competition, the Tar Heels have compiled a record of 646–488–54, a winning percentage of .566...
and competed in the Dixie Lacrosse League against Duke
Duke Blue Devils men's lacrosse
The Duke Blue Devils men's lacrosse team represents Duke University in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I men's lacrosse...
, Virginia
Virginia Cavaliers men's lacrosse
The Virginia Cavaliers men's lacrosse team represents the University of Virginia in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I men's lacrosse...
, Washington & Lee, Loyola
Loyola Greyhounds men's lacrosse
The Loyola University Greyhounds are the NCAA Division I men's collegiate lacrosse team that represents Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore, Maryland...
, and the Washington Lacrosse Club. In 1949, the university conferred varsity status on the team, and in 1950, North Carolina became a member of 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). The following season, goalie Nick Sowell became the Tar Heels' first All-American
USILA All-American Team
The USILA All-American Team is an honor given annually to the best American men's college lacrosse players at their respective positions by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association. The term All-American is derived from the same practice in American college football, in which the...
when he was named to the USILA Honorable Mention team.
In 1991, first-year head coach Dave Klarmann replaced Willie Scroggs, and led the Tar Heels through an undefeated regular season. Carolina extended its winning streak throughout the postseason, first winning the ACC tournament, and then defeating Loyola
Loyola Greyhounds men's lacrosse
The Loyola University Greyhounds are the NCAA Division I men's collegiate lacrosse team that represents Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore, Maryland...
, 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...
, and Towson
Towson Tigers
The Towson Tigers, formerly Towson College Knights, are the athletics teams of Towson University. All of the major athletic teams compete in the Colonial Athletic Association with 20 Division I athletic teams The Towson Tigers, formerly Towson College Knights, are the athletics teams of Towson...
in succession to post a perfect 16–0 mark and capture the NCAA national championship
1991 NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship
The 1991 tournament championship game was played at the Carrier Dome in front of 8,293 fans. North Carolina completed a perfect 16 and 0 season by defeating Towson 18-13, to win the Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship, the fourth overall for the Tar Heels...
. Klarmann's teams repeated as ACC tournament champions in 1992 before advancing to the NCAA Championship final, where they fell to third-seeded Syracuse, 13–12. In 1993 and 1994, Carolina again captured the ACC title, but suffered early exits in the NCAA tournament. In the late 1990s, the Tar Heels struggled, alternately, to qualify for or advance in the NCAA tournament. John Haus replaced Klarmann as head coach for the 2001 season. In his fourth year, Carolina advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals before losing to Johns Hopkins, 15–9. They returned to the NCAA tournament and quarterfinals in 2007, where they were defeated by second-seeded Duke, 19–11. In 2008, Carolina was knocked out of the first round by Navy.
The following year, alumnus Joe Breschi, former Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes are the intercollegiate sports teams and players of The Ohio State University, named after the state tree, the Buckeye. The Buckeyes participate in the NCAA's Division I in all sports and the Big Ten Conference in most sports...
coach, took over at his alma mater. North Carolina surprised some observers when the team returned to the NCAA quarterfinals, before losing to Duke, 12–11. In 2010, The Baltimore Sun commented that "it's no longer a question whether Breschi can rebuild North Carolina, but when the Tar Heels will arrive." In his second season, Carolina again advanced to the quarterfinals before losing to Duke, 17–9. That season, North Carolina swept the ACC postseason awards, with Breschi named ACC Coach of the Year, junior attackman Billy Bitter
Billy Bitter
William Benz "Billy" Bitter is a professional American lacrosse player for the Denver Outlaws of Major League Lacrosse and the Buffalo Bandits of the National Lacrosse League. Bitter formerly played lacrosse for the University of North Carolina...
named ACC Player of the Year, and Marcus Holman named ACC Freshman of the Year.
Records
| Year | Overall | Conference (ACC) | Coach | Postseason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 16-0 | 3-0 | Dave Klarmann | National Champion |
| 1992 | 12-3 | 3-0 | Dave Klarmann | Semifinalist |
| 1993 | 14-2 | 2-1 | Dave Klarmann | National Finalist |
| 1994 | 10-5 | 2-1 | Dave Klarmann | Quarterfinalist |
| 1995 | 9-7 | 1-2 | Dave Klarmann | 1st Round |
| 1996 | 12-5 | 2-1 | Dave Klarmann | Quarterfinalist |
| 1997 | 6-7 | 0-3 | Dave Klarmann | |
| 1998 | 7-8 | 0-3 | Dave Klarmann | 1st Round |
| 1999 | 6-9 | 1-2 | Dave Klarmann | |
| 2000 | 8-6 | 0-3 | Dave Klarmann | |
| 2001 | 6-6 | 1-2 | John Haus | |
| 2002 | 8-5 | 1-2 | John Haus | |
| 2003 | 7-6 | 2-1 | John Haus | |
| 2004 | 10-5 | 2-1 | John Haus | Quarterfinalist |
| 2005 | 5-8 | 0-3 | John Haus | |
| 2006 | 4-10 | 0-3 | John Haus | |
| 2007 | 10-6 | 0-3 | John Haus | Quarterfinalist |
| 2008 | 8-6 | 0-3 | John Haus | 1st Round |
| 2009 | 12-6 | 0-3 | Joe Breschi | Quarterfinalist |
| 2010 | 13-3 | 2-3 | Joe Breschi | Quarterfinalist |