CORNELL WINS 2025 MENS LACROSSE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!

[Weder]

Sad about Stevens but understandable and he won us a natty so he will always be a Cornell legend. Does anybody know how much a Cornell lacrosse assistant probably makes? How about head coach?

The Education Department tracks this, but the averages probably aren't particularly useful in trying to figure out what the pay for a specific position is (especially the ones that are endowed). It appears that not all of the coaching positions are full-time as well. (EDIT: The data is for 2022-23.)

But the averages:

Men's team head coach: $157,746   
Men's team asst. coach: $67,478
Women's team head coach: $111,277
Women's team asst. coach: $56,668

Is this Division 1? Probably safe to assume the head assistant, as Stevens was, makes more than the average? It was probably time to ride off into the sunset and fulfill his destiny as a finance bro. No shame in that. Cornell legend.

Sorry, those are the average salaries at Cornell.

[Iceberg]

Sad about Stevens but understandable and he won us a natty so he will always be a Cornell legend. Does anybody know how much a Cornell lacrosse assistant probably makes? How about head coach?

The Education Department tracks this, but the averages probably aren't particularly useful in trying to figure out what the pay for a specific position is (especially the ones that are endowed). It appears that not all of the coaching positions are full-time as well. (EDIT: The data is for 2022-23.)

But the averages:

Men's team head coach: $157,746   
Men's team asst. coach: $67,478
Women's team head coach: $111,277
Women's team asst. coach: $56,668

Is this Division 1? Probably safe to assume the head assistant, as Stevens was, makes more than the average? It was probably time to ride off into the sunset and fulfill his destiny as a finance bro. No shame in that. Cornell legend.

Sorry, those are the average salaries at Cornell.

If I had to guess, at least a few hundreds of thousands given the profile of the sport at the school but likely not as high as at places like Syracuse, UVA, or Notre Dame. And of course not nearly as high as basketball or other typically high-profile college sports.

[CU77]

Cornell Sports posted video of the full ceremony:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmvLUALDg0E

[CU77]

This 2023 article on coaches' salaries at Maryland gives an idea:

https://dbknews.com/2023/11/17/maryland-athletics-coaching-salaries/

Tillman had a base salary of $380K and supplemental income of $110K.

Another comparison: Michigan head coach Kevin Conry had a base salary of $240K in 2024, assistant coach Scott Bieda (on staff since 2022) had a base salary of $99K.

https://www.umsalary.info/titlesearch.php?Title=MENS+LACROSSE+COACH&Year=0

Cornell salaries will almost certainly not be higher than Michigan's.

For those with short memories, Michigan upset #8 seed Cornell in the first round of the 2023 NCAA tournament.

[mike1960]

I wonder when I'll take off my lucky Cornell hoodie. I'm still flying about the fact that we're the National Champions in lacrosse.

[stereax]

They did!!

Nice to see President Kotlikoff, Provost Bala and all the deans there, too!  Also, Jimmy Rayhill, who obviously went to the game to watch his brother play.
.

Wait, that is Jimmy???

Also... the flip flops... sobbing.

[George64]

Here's the link to this very special commencement!  Go Big Red!

[JasonN95]

I wonder when I'll take off my lucky Cornell hoodie. I'm still flying about the fact that we're the National Champions in lacrosse.

I'm still flying high as well. I've rewatched the full game twice and have watched no fewer than five different condensed versions of the game on YouTube.

[Chris '03]

Don't think this excellent piece from the Daily Orange has been shared here yet: https://dailyorange.com/2025/05/mens-lacrosse-final-four-cornell-2025-title-parallels-1977-championship/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwKlW_xleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHtz-8NUrquCBphouyY5An1dfldSI6x4u24X2o8ag8PnD-VPulAdj7DnVSHQX_aem_3N9N3Oe-LJf0tc4jc5P4rA

[Swampy]

Don't think this excellent piece from the Daily Orange has been shared here yet: https://dailyorange.com/2025/05/mens-lacrosse-final-four-cornell-2025-title-parallels-1977-championship/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwKlW_xleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHtz-8NUrquCBphouyY5An1dfldSI6x4u24X2o8ag8PnD-VPulAdj7DnVSHQX_aem_3N9N3Oe-LJf0tc4jc5P4rA

It's an excellent article, except for one major factual error: "Richie Moran established Cornell's program in the modern era of college lacrosse."

I don't wish to diminish Richie in any way, but the honor of establishing Cornell as a lacrosse power should go to Ned Harkness.

In 1941, he became a volunteer coach of RPI's new lacrosse club. After serving as a bombardier in the RCAF during WWII, in 1945, he became the coach of RPI's new varsity lacrosse team. In 1951, Ned was named "U.S. Lacrosse Coach of the Year," and in 1952, his team won the National Championship. He also restarted RPI's ice hockey program in 1949 and led the team to an NC in 1954.

In 1963, he left RPI to coach hockey at Cornell. Until 1961, Cornell had the longest losing streak in the Ivy League and had never won an Ivy League game! But Ned took over hockey, and Cornell became a perennial powerhouse, winning NC's in 1967 & 1970.

At the time, Cornell's lacrosse team had a record similar to that of the pre-Ned hockey team. In 1965, the lacrosse coach, Bob Cullin, asked Ned to help out with the team. The next day, two assistant coaches for the lacrosse team died in a plane crash while on a recruiting trip. So, Ned's participation with the team suddenly grew. He described meeting the team for the first time and saying, "I don't know you, and you don't know me, but you're going to run more today than you ever have in your lifetime." If the hard-hat culture of Cornell Lacrosse has a birth date, that was it!

Two years later, Cullen stepped down, and the administration asked Ned to take over as Head Coach of both hockey and lacrosse. Under Cullen, the team's record was 16-24, but under Harkness, between 1966 and 1968, the lacrosse team's record was 35-1, including 2 undefeated seasons.

Despite the unblemished seasons, Cornell did not win the NC because back then it was done by vote, and with the major lacrosse schools located in the Baltimore area, a Baltimore team always seemed to get the most votes. Nonetheless, Cornell under Harkness had become an embarrassment for the NC$$, and it implemented a tournament in which, starting in 1971, playing for the title would replace voting. Meanwhile, Ned stepped down from being the lacrosse coach, and Richie Moran took over in 1969.

By coincidence, around this time, lacrosse sticks underwent a radical technological change, with the older, wooden sticks and leather netting being replaced by plastic baskets, nylon netting, and metal shafts. Because these new sticks were much easier to use, participation in the sport exploded.

I think it's fair to speculate that without Ned Harkness, there would have been no NCAA Lacrosse Championship in 1971, and likely not for several years after that. None of this detracts from what Richie accomplished, but as one familiar with this history, it's Ned Harkness who established the Cornell Lacrosse we celebrate today.

[scoop85]

Don't think this excellent piece from the Daily Orange has been shared here yet: https://dailyorange.com/2025/05/mens-lacrosse-final-four-cornell-2025-title-parallels-1977-championship/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwKlW_xleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHtz-8NUrquCBphouyY5An1dfldSI6x4u24X2o8ag8PnD-VPulAdj7DnVSHQX_aem_3N9N3Oe-LJf0tc4jc5P4rA

It's an excellent article, except for one major factual error: "Richie Moran established Cornell's program in the modern era of college lacrosse."

I don't wish to diminish Richie in any way, but the honor of establishing Cornell as a lacrosse power should go to Ned Harkness.

In 1941, he became a volunteer coach of RPI's new lacrosse club. After serving as a bombardier in the RCAF during WWII, in 1945, he became the coach of RPI's new varsity lacrosse team. In 1951, Ned was named "U.S. Lacrosse Coach of the Year," and in 1952, his team won the National Championship. He also restarted RPI's ice hockey program in 1949 and led the team to an NC in 1954.

In 1963, he left RPI to coach hockey at Cornell. Until 1961, Cornell had the longest losing streak in the Ivy League and had never won an Ivy League game! But Ned took over hockey, and Cornell became a perennial powerhouse, winning NC's in 1967 & 1970.

At the time, Cornell's lacrosse team had a record similar to that of the pre-Ned hockey team. In 1965, the lacrosse coach, Bob Cullin, asked Ned to help out with the team. The next day, two assistant coaches for the lacrosse team died in a plane crash while on a recruiting trip. So, Ned's participation with the team suddenly grew. He described meeting the team for the first time and saying, "I don't know you, and you don't know me, but you're going to run more today than you ever have in your lifetime." If the hard-hat culture of Cornell Lacrosse has a birth date, that was it!

Two years later, Cullen stepped down, and the administration asked Ned to take over as Head Coach of both hockey and lacrosse. Under Cullen, the team's record was 16-24, but under Harkness, between 1966 and 1968, the lacrosse team's record was 35-1, including 2 undefeated seasons.

Despite the unblemished seasons, Cornell did not win the NC because back then it was done by vote, and with the major lacrosse schools located in the Baltimore area, a Baltimore team always seemed to get the most votes. Nonetheless, Cornell under Harkness had become an embarrassment for the NC$$, and it implemented a tournament in which, starting in 1971, playing for the title would replace voting. Meanwhile, Ned stepped down from being the lacrosse coach, and Richie Moran took over in 1969.

By coincidence, around this time, lacrosse sticks underwent a radical technological change, with the older, wooden sticks and leather netting being replaced by plastic baskets, nylon netting, and metal shafts. Because these new sticks were much easier to use, participation in the sport exploded.

I think it's fair to speculate that without Ned Harkness, there would have been no NCAA Lacrosse Championship in 1971, and likely not for several years after that. None of this detracts from what Richie accomplished, but as one familiar with this history, it's Ned Harkness who established the Cornell Lacrosse we celebrate today.

For those who haven't read Christian Swezey's book, "We Showed Baltimore", it's a must-read for any Cornell lacrosse fan: https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501762826/we-showed-baltimore/. Of course Swezey now needs to do a 2nd edition adding the newest chapter of Cornell lacrosse glory ::rock::

[Al DeFlorio]

I don't wish to diminish Richie in any way, but the honor of establishing Cornell as a lacrosse power should go to Ned Harkness.

In 1941, he became a volunteer coach of RPI's new lacrosse club. After serving as a bombardier in the RCAF during WWII, in 1945, he became the coach of RPI's new varsity lacrosse team. In 1951, Ned was named "U.S. Lacrosse Coach of the Year," and in 1952, his team won the National Championship. He also restarted RPI's ice hockey program in 1949 and led the team to an NC in 1954.

In 1963, he left RPI to coach hockey at Cornell. Until 1961, Cornell had the longest losing streak in the Ivy League and had never won an Ivy League game!

Uh-uh.  Cornell beat a great Harvard team 2-1 winter of 1961-1962 in Lynah under Paul Patten.  Start of the Lynah Faithful.  Probably other Ivy wins, too.

[Beeeej]

I don't wish to diminish Richie in any way, but the honor of establishing Cornell as a lacrosse power should go to Ned Harkness.

In 1941, he became a volunteer coach of RPI's new lacrosse club. After serving as a bombardier in the RCAF during WWII, in 1945, he became the coach of RPI's new varsity lacrosse team. In 1951, Ned was named "U.S. Lacrosse Coach of the Year," and in 1952, his team won the National Championship. He also restarted RPI's ice hockey program in 1949 and led the team to an NC in 1954.

In 1963, he left RPI to coach hockey at Cornell. Until 1961, Cornell had the longest losing streak in the Ivy League and had never won an Ivy League game!

Uh-uh.  Cornell beat a great Harvard team 2-1 winter of 1961-1962 in Lynah under Paul Patten.  Start of the Lynah Faithful.  Probably other Ivy wins, too.

That doesn't really contradict the words "Until 1961".

On the other hand, Cornell defeated Penn a few times in 1959 and 1960, which does contradict those words - maybe "had never won a game against an Ivy League opponent that still has a hockey team today"? ::dribble::

[Swampy]

I don't wish to diminish Richie in any way, but the honor of establishing Cornell as a lacrosse power should go to Ned Harkness.

In 1941, he became a volunteer coach of RPI's new lacrosse club. After serving as a bombardier in the RCAF during WWII, in 1945, he became the coach of RPI's new varsity lacrosse team. In 1951, Ned was named "U.S. Lacrosse Coach of the Year," and in 1952, his team won the National Championship. He also restarted RPI's ice hockey program in 1949 and led the team to an NC in 1954.

In 1963, he left RPI to coach hockey at Cornell. Until 1961, Cornell had the longest losing streak in the Ivy League and had never won an Ivy League game!

Uh-uh.  Cornell beat a great Harvard team 2-1 winter of 1961-1962 in Lynah under Paul Patten.  Start of the Lynah Faithful.  Probably other Ivy wins, too.

That doesn't really contradict the words "Until 1961".

On the other hand, Cornell defeated Penn a few times in 1959 and 1960, which does contradict those words - maybe "had never won a game against an Ivy League opponent that still has a hockey team today"? ::dribble::

No wonder this article on the Big Red Sports Network is anonymous. ::scream::

[Beeeej]

I don't wish to diminish Richie in any way, but the honor of establishing Cornell as a lacrosse power should go to Ned Harkness.

In 1941, he became a volunteer coach of RPI's new lacrosse club. After serving as a bombardier in the RCAF during WWII, in 1945, he became the coach of RPI's new varsity lacrosse team. In 1951, Ned was named "U.S. Lacrosse Coach of the Year," and in 1952, his team won the National Championship. He also restarted RPI's ice hockey program in 1949 and led the team to an NC in 1954.

In 1963, he left RPI to coach hockey at Cornell. Until 1961, Cornell had the longest losing streak in the Ivy League and had never won an Ivy League game!

Uh-uh.  Cornell beat a great Harvard team 2-1 winter of 1961-1962 in Lynah under Paul Patten.  Start of the Lynah Faithful.  Probably other Ivy wins, too.

That doesn't really contradict the words "Until 1961".

On the other hand, Cornell defeated Penn a few times in 1959 and 1960, which does contradict those words - maybe "had never won a game against an Ivy League opponent that still has a hockey team today"? ::dribble::

No wonder this article on the Big Red Sports Network is anonymous. ::scream::

Lots of potential culprits, though...