Gary Gait has led Syracuse women’s lacrosse to unprecedented success in his three years at the helm of the program. Since he was named head coach in August 2007, Gait has guided the Orange to a record of 47-15, two appearances in the NCAA Tournament semifinals, two BIG EAST regular-season titles and one conference tournament championship.
SYRACUSE -- While Gait was recently contacted by representatives from the University of Maryland regarding its men’s lacrosse head coaching position, he is dedicated to continuing to lead the Orange. He will remain at his alma mater where he was a four-time All-America selection for the Syracuse men’s team.
“I bleed Orange,” Gait said. “Syracuse is the right place for me and my family. There’s no better place to be, especially with the support we receive from Chancellor Nancy Cantor and (athletics director) Dr. Daryl Gross. I look forward to continuing to build the Syracuse women’s lacrosse program and take it to a national championship. I appreciate being considered for the Maryland position. The alumni have been very supportive.”
Gait’s goals for the Orange women’s program include a national title – a feat he accomplished as a player for Syracuse in 1988, 1989 and 1990.
“We are so privileged to have Gary Gait as head coach of our women’s lacrosse team,” Gross said. “In three years, he has shown where the program is headed with two Final Fours and one Elite Eight. The best is yet to come. We know he will bring in championship players of high character. We are excited about the future of the women’s lacrosse program under Gary’s leadership.”
In 2010, Syracuse won 15 games, the second-highest single-season total in school history. The Orange earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament and was the only team in the tournament to win on the road. Syracuse defeated No. 4 seed Georgetown and No. 5 seed James Madison on their home fields to become just the second unseeded team to advance to the national semifinals since 2005. Under Gait’s tutelage, the Orange had four members earn All-America honors and six named to the All-BIG EAST teams. In addition, Syracuse student-athletes received the BIG EAST Midfielder and Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Courtesy: SU Athletics
