Dave Urick: Lacrosse Legend Whose Legacy Shaped the Game
12/24/2024 02:16 PM
Dave Urick: Lacrosse Legend Whose Legacy Shaped the Game
Dave Urick, a lacrosse icon and National Lacrosse Hall of Fame coach, has died at the age of 75. Urick leaves behind a legacy that shaped generations of lacrosse players and elevated the sport to new heights. With his ability to develop talent into championship-winning teams, his name is synonymous with excellence in lacrosse.
Urick began his coaching career at Hobart in 1971, serving as an assistant football and lacrosse coach. A 1970 graduate of Cortland State, Urick quickly made his mark by helping guide Hobart to three national championships as an assistant coach. He took over as head coach of the program in 1980, immediately leading the Statesmen to the inaugural NCAA Division III championship. From that day forward, Hobart took complete control of the sport, reeling off 10 straight Division III championships under Urick’s tutelage. When he left in 1990, Hobart had taken 12 consecutive titles, a mark unequaled in the sport.
In his time at Hobart, Urick compiled an astonishing 129-33 record, an unbelievable 90-3 against Division III foes. His teams featured 40 All-Americans, nine national players of the year and too many memories for the Hobart community to count. Urick was inducted into the Hobart Hall of Fame in 1990, just one year after his retirement from the program.
In 1990, Urick accepted a once in a lifetime call to become head coach of Georgetown, thus teeing up for another wildly successful chapter in his very iconic career He led this Hoyas Current to 11 consecutive NCAA Division l tournament appearances From 1997 thru 2007. Under his leadership, Georgetown reached the NCAA semifinals in 1999, marking the program’s deepest postseason run. Urick retired from Georgetown following the 2012 season with a record of 223-99, never once suffering a losing season during his tenure.
But perhaps most importantly, Urick’s combined record of 352-132 speaks to his consistency and ability to sustain excellence. His influence extended beyond college lacrosse as he also led the U.S. He was the assistant coach and then head coach of the United States Men’s National Team at world championships in 1982 and 1986, respectively. Lacrosse was not just Urick's profession; it was his passion and life’s work. His players often spoke of his ability to inspire and develop talent, with many going on to become stars at both the collegiate and professional levels.
The numerous accolades of Dave Urick are a reflection of the immense impact he made on the sport. In 1998, he was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame; he has also been induced into several other halls of fame such as Cortland State, Georgetown, and the Intercollegiate Men’s Lacrosse Coaches Association. In 2018, Hobart decided to name their stadium after him in honor of Urick’s great work.
Beyond the titles and the awards, Urick was that mentor and leader who helped shape lives. His love for the game and the dedication to his players described his career. He is survived by his wife Linda, their children Holly, Scott, and Mindy, and two grandsons. The lacrosse community mourns his passing but celebrates the extraordinary life of Dave Urick, a true icon of the game.
