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HUNT VALLEY, MDVirginia men’s lacrosse head coach Dom Starsia was one of eight individuals inducted as the 51st class to the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame Saturday night at The Grand Lodge in Hunt Valley, Md.
“The wins and losses are fickle at best,” Starsia said during his induction speech. “It’s the relationships that stand the test of time.
“Coaching has never been a career choice. It’s my life. During my interview [with UVa], I was asked to describe myself. I didn’t know how to respond. I said, honest, and I’ll work hard.’ And it’s really never been more than that.”
Associate head coach Marc Van Arsdale presented Starsia for induction. “A coach of his status has to wear many hats – as a coach, an opposing coach, a father and a mentor,” said Van Arsdale. “In all these roles, he stands tall. He does great things for everybody all the time.”
One of the most successful coaches in the history of the sport, Starsia has compiled 285-107 record in 26 seasons as a collegiate coach at Brown and Virginia. He stands sixth in college history in wins.
He coached at Brown, his alma mater from 1982 to 1992, compiling a record of 101-46, leading the Bears to two Ivy League titles and five NCAA tournament berths. He was named the USILA Morris Touchstone Coach of the Year in 1985 and 1991.
In 1993, he took over at Virginia and has since led the Cavaliers to three national championships (1999, 2003 and 2006). At Virginia he has a record of 184-61 and has led the Cavaliers to 10 NCAA semifinal appearances.
During his coaching tenure at UVa, he has produced 97 All-Americans (22 first-team, 25 second-team, 21 third-team and 29 honorable mention choices), 59 All-ACC selections, seven ACC Rookies of the Year and five ACC Players of the Year. In addition, UVa has produced four NCAA Championship MVPs (Michael Watson in 1996, Conor Gill in 1999, Tillman Johnson in 2003 and Matt Ward in 2006) and 30 All-NCAA Tournament selections, all since 1994.
Starsia was also an outstanding defenseman at Brown where he earned All-America honors twice. Following his collegiate playing career he was a four-time All-Club player and a member of the 1978 U.S. team. He has been inducted into the Brown University Athletic, US Lacrosse New England and Charlottesville Chapter halls of fame.
Joining Starsia as members of the Class of 2008 were: Roberta Brennan (former U.S. National Women’s Team member), Lynn Craun (noted umpire), Pat Dillon (long-time contributor and official), Tom Marechek (player at Syracuse), Chris Sailer (current women’s lacrosse coach at Princeton), George Tracy (player at Navy) and
Dick Watts (long-time contributor).
Other Virginia National Lacrosse Hall of Fame members include: Jay Conner, Heather Dow, John Driscoll, Tom Duquette, Peter Eldredge, Billy Hooper, Roddy Marino, Jane Miller, Howdy Myers, Jim Potter, Doyle Smith and Julie Williams. In addition, former UVa coaches Jim Adams, Buddy Beardmore, Gene Corrigan, Wilson Fewster and Bob Sandell have also been inducted into the Hall of Fame.
A special thanks to Matt DaSilva from Lacrosse Magazine for providing the quotes.