Hartford Hawks men's lacrosse explained

Hartford Hawks men's lacrosse
Founded:1979 (varsity), 1973 (club)
University:University of Hartford
Conference:Conference of New England
Location:West Hartford, Connecticut
Coach:Ryan Martin (8th season)
Stadium:Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium
Capacity:2,500
Nickname:Hawks
Ncaa Tourney:2011, 2016
Conf Tourney:2011, 2016
Conf Champion:2000, 2003

The Hartford Hawks men's lacrosse team represents the University of Hartford in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III men's lacrosse. Hartford currently competes in the Conference of New England (CNE) and plays its home games at Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium in West Hartford, Connecticut.

Hartford had been an NCAA Division I member before starting a transition to Division III after the 2022 season. It had been a member of the America East Conference, and before that the Northeast Conference. The Hawks played the first season of their transition in spring 2023 as a Division I independent before joining CNE (then known as the Commonwealth Coast Conference) in July 2023.

History

1973–1992

Hartford men's lacrosse was established as a club sport in 1973 until it became a varsity program in 1979.

In 1985, Hartford hired John Herbert as head coach for the team's inaugural season in Division 1. Hartford competed as an independent until joining the Northeast Conference in 1993. As an independent team, Hartford had an overall record of 36–58.

1993–2003

In 1993, first-year head coach Jack McGetrick replaced Rob Quinn and led the team to its first winning season in eight years. In 1997, the Hartford Hawks joined the America East Conference. In 2000, the Hawks completed a 14–2 record and earned the NEC regular season title after completing a 4–1 conference record. In 2003, McGetrick once again led the Hawks to a regular season title after finishing the season with a 9–8 record and a 4–1 conference record. After 11 seasons with the Hawks, McGetrick stepped down from his head coaching duties finishing as the winningest lacrosse coach in the programs history.BlackJack returned in 2004 to coach his alumni to victory one last time over the current squad. A feat never accomplished and most likely never repeated. The game was played on the muddy practice field behind the 5’s so the lacrosse team didn’t ruin the field used by the university’s crown jewel soccer team. [1]

2004–2005

Andy Towers replaced McGetrick as head coach for the 2004 season and led the Hawks to an unsuccessful 0–14 record. The following season, now under the helm of Bill Warder, ended in a disappointing 2–12 record.[2]

2006–2016

In 2006, Peter Lawrence became head coach of the Hawks. In 2011, coming off seven straight losing seasons; the Hawks, led by Lawrence, would win their first conference tournament.[3] Hartford also made their first NCAA tournament appearance in 2011 but lost in the first round to the second-seeded Cornell, 12–5.[4] In 2016, the Hawks lost 14–9 against Quinnipiac in a play-in game in the 2016 NCAA tournament.[5] Following the 2016 season, Peter Lawrence resigned as head coach of Hartford after 11 seasons.[6]

2017–present

After the departure of long time head coach Peter Lawrence; Hartford promoted assistant coach Ryan Martin to head coach.[7] In his first season as head coach, Martin led the Hawks to a 6–8 overall record.[8]

Division III

On May 6, 2021, the University of Hartford Board of Regents voted to drop its athletic department to Division III. The drop was set to take place no later than September 1, 2025.[9] The school ultimately started its transition in July 2022 and started Division III competition in July 2023, with full D-III membership to follow in the 2026–27 school year.

Annual record

Division I
Division III†NCAA canceled 2020 collegiate activities due to the COVID-19 virus.

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: FORMER HARTFORD LACROSSE COACH JACK MCGETRICK PASSES AWAY ON SATURDAY. 1 June 2017. Hartford Hawks. 9 October 2010.
  2. Web site: Andrew Towers. dartmouthsports.com. Dartmouth Big Green. 1 June 2017.
  3. News: Compitello's Last-Second Goal Gives Hartford 2011 Men's Lacrosse Title. 1 June 2017. America East. 7 May 2011.
  4. News: HAWKS' FLIGHT ENDS AT CORNELL WITH 12–5 LOSS TO BIG RED. 1 June 2017. Hartford Hawks. 14 May 2011.
  5. News: Hawks Defeated by Quinnipiac in NCAA Preliminary Round. 1 June 2017. Hartford Hawks. 11 May 2016.
  6. News: Lawrence Steps Down as Head Men's Lacrosse Coach. 1 June 2017. Hartford Hawks. 13 May 2016.
  7. News: Ryan Martin Promoted to Head Men's Lacrosse Coach. 1 June 2017. Hartford Hawks. 2 June 2016.
  8. News: Hartford Drops Season Finale to No. 7 UAlbany. 1 June 2017. Hartford Hawks. 29 April 2017.
  9. Web site: University of Hartford Votes to Drop Athletic Department to Division III. Sports Illustrated. May 6, 2021. May 7, 2021.