Gary Gait Leaving Mammoth

[Sonny]

GAIT LEAVING MAMMOTH TO PURSUE OTHER INTERESTS

Kroenke Sports Enterprises has confirmed that Gary Gait will leave the company to pursue other interests.

Gait has coached the Colorado Mammoth for the past two seasons, winning the 2006 National Lacrosse League championship in his first season on the Mammoth bench. He had served as team captain while playing for the Mammoth in the three previous seasons, capping a lacrosse career in which he was widely regarded as the best player in the sport.

“Gary is an icon and has laid the foundation for the growth of lacrosse in Colorado,” Mammoth general manager Steve Govett said. “He will always have a place in Colorado sports history and we all wish him the very best.”

Gait took over as coach of the Mammoth on June 21, 2005. He led the team to a 22-8 regular-season record and was 3-1 in the playoffs, including the 2006 title. He retired as a player from the NLL at the end of the 2005 season – his 15th – owning league records for most single-season goals and most consecutive All-Pro team appearances. He was named the league’s most valuable player a record six times and retired as the NLL’s all-time leading scorer with 1,091 points. He was voted in as a charter member to the NLL Hall of Fame shortly before his retirement.

Govett said the search for a new head coach is underway. “The core of our team will be back this season,” he said. “A new coach has a great opportunity to work with some of the best players in the league.”

[KnoxVegas]

Could he be going to the rival outdoor league?

[onpoint]

The "rival outdoor league" is dead (http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_6587988). There should be an official announcement soon about where Gait will go, but let's just say that it's very likely he will be "returning home again."

[byualum]

The "rival outdoor league" is dead (http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_6587988). There should be an official announcement soon about where Gait will go, but let's just say that it's very likely he will be "returning home again."

I heard rumors he's going back to the Cuse to become the women's head coach.

[OAKS]

It's been going around for about a month or so.

http://www.syracuse.com/articles/sports ... xml&coll=1

[Sonny]

Confirmed:

GAIT TO COACH SYRACUSE WOMEN

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse University Director of Athletics Dr. Daryl Gross has announced that former Orange All-American and lacrosse Hall of Famer Gary Gait has been named the second coach in the history of the women’s lacrosse program. Gait is a 10-time NCAA champion, having won three titles as player for the Orange (1988-90) and seven as an assistant women’s lacrosse coach at the University of Maryland (1995-01). Gait will be introduced on Tuesday, Aug. 28 at 12:45 p.m. at a news conference in the Iocolano-Petty Football Auditorium following football coach Greg Robinson's weekly news conference.

“We continue to bring the best coaches we can find in the world to Syracuse University,” Gross said. “Gary has proven that he is one of the best. His being a huge part of seven NCAA titles as a coach at Maryland is remarkable and speaks volumes for his credentials. To have the greatest player to play the game who has had success at every level of coaching leading our program is extraordinary.

“We are beyond thrilled to welcome Gary and his wonderful family back to Syracuse. I am the most happy for our current women’s lacrosse team and teams to come. I can't think of a better experience.”

Gait has spent the last two seasons as the head coach of the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). In his first two campaigns, he led the Mammoth to two playoff appearances and the 2006 league championship. Gait’s professional coaching experience also includes four seasons (2002-05) as player-coach of Major League Lacrosse’s (MLL) Baltimore Bayhawks. He won championships there as well, taking home MLL titles in 2002 and 2005.

“I am completely thrilled to have the opportunity to be back at Syracuse and working with the Athletic Department which includes familiar faces like Coach (John) Desko,” Gait said. “I’m looking forward to working to take the women’s lacrosse program to the next level.”

Earlier this year, Gait tasted success coaching on the international level when he led Team Canada to the 2007 World Indoor Championship in May. Gait’s squad rolled through the tournament, winning all five of its games, including the championship tilt, 15-14, versus the Iroquois. He currently serves as the head coach of the Canadian men’s under-19 team.

As an assistant at Maryland, Gait helped build one of the most impressive dynasties in NCAA history. The Terps compiled a remarkable 164-16 (.911) overall record in his nine years on the staff, including four undefeated seasons (1995, 1996, 1999, 2001) and seven consecutive NCAA championships (1995-01). He coached and recruited some of the greatest players in the history of the women’s game, including NCAA career scoring leader and 2001 Tewaaraton Trophy winner Jen Adams, as well as four-time All-American and 1995 National Defensive Player of the Year and 1996 National Offensive Player of the Year Kelly Amonte.

In all, Gait mentored 25 All-Americans and eight players that at one time earned national player of the year honors while at Maryland.

Gait’s success as a coach might only be surpassed by his accomplishments as a player. He has won every major collegiate, professional, and international championship in the sport during his career. In addition to his three NCAA championships with the Orange, Gait has won three NLL titles (1991, 1994-95), three MLL titles (2001-02, 2005), three Mann Cups (1991, 1997, 1999), which are awarded to the senior men’s lacrosse champions of Canada, the Heritage Cup (2004), which goes to the winner of the international box lacrosse tournament every two years, and the International Lacrosse Federation (ILF) World Championship (2006).

A native of Victoria, British Columbia, Gait and his twin brother, Paul, began their playing careers at Syracuse in 1987. There, under the tutelage of SU head coach Roy Simmons Jr., the duo revolutionized lacrosse, bringing a sense of style and excitement to the game that had never been seen before. At no time was that more evident than in the 1988 national semifinal against Penn at the Carrier Dome when Gary unveiled the “Air Gait,” scoring twice by dunking over the top of the goal.

While Gait’s individual theatrics delighted the crowd, Syracuse also excelled as a team with him running the midfield. His Orange squads registered an overall record of 51-5 (.911) from 1987-90, won three national titles, and posted two undefeated seasons (1988, 1990). In 1990, Gait was selected as the NCAA Tournament MVP on what many still call “the greatest lacrosse team ever assembled.”

Individually, he earned All-America honors four times, including three straight first-team nods (1988-90). He also won the Lt. Raymond Enners Award (National Player of the Year) twice (1988, 1990) and the Lt. Donald C. MacLaughlin Jr. Award (Midfielder of the Year) in 1988 and 1990.

Gait still holds the NCAA and Syracuse career goals scored records (192). He also owns SU’s single-season goals mark (70), and his nine tallies against Navy in the 1990 NCAA Tournament tied the tournament and school single-game standards. In conjunction with the 1997 Final Four, the NCAA Lacrosse Committee named Gait to the 25th Anniversary Lacrosse Team, as well as his brother, Paul.

After his collegiate playing career, Gait took his talents to the professional level, where he played 15 years in the NLL with the Detroit Turbos, Philadelphia Wings, Baltimore Thunder, Pittsburgh CrossFire, Washington Power, and Colorado Mammoth. In 1991with Detroit, he was named the NLL Rookie of the Year, and later in his career he was selected the league’s MVP a record six times, including five in a row (1995-99). He was also an All-Pro every season.

Gait led the NLL in points and goals seven times and he finished his indoor career as the league’s all-time leading scorer with 1,091 points (since broken). He also won three league championships, leading the Turbos to the title in 1991 and the Wings to consecutive titles in 1994 and 1995.

In recognition of his extraordinary NLL career, he was selected as one of five charter members of the league’s Hall of Fame in 2006.

Gait also played five outdoor seasons in Major League Lacrosse. He made his MLL debut with the Long Island Lizards in 2001 before taking over as player-coach of the Bayhawks the following season. In his final MLL campaign, Gait led the league in goals, points, and hat tricks. He finished tied in the voting for league MVP and was named the MVP of the championship game after leading the Bayhawks to their second Steinfeld Cup. Gait also won championships with Baltimore in 2002 and the Lizards in 2001.

Gait’s other playing accomplishments include helping the Victoria Shamrocks to the Mann Cup in 1997 and 1999, winning the 2004 Heritage Cup (Canada), and leading Canada to its first world title since 1978 at the 2006 ILF World Championship in London, Ontario. Playing on the international stage for the final time, Gait saved his best for last, tallying four goals in the ILF title tilt to lead the Canadians to a 15-10 upset of John Desko’s U.S. squad. Canada’s victory ended the United States’ dominance at the event. Heading into 2006, the U.S. had won the previous six ILF crowns.

Gait, a 2005 National Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee, also spends time off the field working to grow the game. He is the president of NDP Lacrosse, a national lacrosse development and education program, and was the chairman of the 2007 Under Armour Boys All-American selection committee.

He and his wife, Nicole, have two children, Taylor (13) and Braedon (11).



What they are saying about Gary Gait

“He is rightly considered the greatest active lacrosse player of all-time even though he just retired. He was still active in the box game. He then went on to become a great coach. To be so young and already be inducted into the Lacrosse Hall of Fame is quite an honor. Usually those type of achievements come later in life, but I think his inclusion at such a young age speaks volumes about what he’s done in the game.

“Gary knows what Syracuse lacrosse is about. He won three titles here as a player and its great to have an alum come home so to speak. I recruited my son (Roy Simmons III) from across the dinner table, Kevin Donahue and John Desko from West Genesee and Lelan Rogers played for me after transferring in from St. Lawrence. To have the entire men’s coaching staff and the women’s head coach– all Syracuse boys - at home is special. That’s one of things that makes Syracuse lacrosse so great I think – the consistency. There hasn’t been a lot of turnover. Everyone here has the same philosophy.

“When it comes to lacrosse Gary’s name is on the tip of everyone’s tongue. It’s like magic in this game. Because of that when he’s recruiting young ladies out of high school there isn’t one that won’t give the Syracuse program a look.” Roy Simmons Jr. – Former Syracuse Men’s Lacrosse Head Coach, Lacrosse Hall of Famer

“It’s really exciting to have Gary Gait back on campus. We’ve known each other a long time. Obviously, I coached him when he was here. To have him back with all his experience and all the things he’s done through the sport of lacrosse, I’m just excited to have him here.

“You think of Gary and Paul Gait and the championships in 1988, ’89 and ’90 and that just doesn’t happen any more. It speaks to the kind of players that they were. I think you can safely say Gary’s probably the best lacrosse player of all-time. Certainly, he was the most dominating. To have those memories and what he did for Syracuse University and our lacrosse program was remarkable.

“Him being an exceptional lacrosse player, he’s carried it on through life. Whether it’s coaching, the Canadian Team, playing in the pros, all the things he’s accomplished, it’s incredible.

“I think that Gary coming back to Syracuse University, and all the parents and players that know of him, is certainly going to be a tremendous boost in recruiting. It just helps the program having him here. From academics to athletics to in the community, I think it’s great to have him back in Syracuse. People will come out to watch him coach.” John Desko – Syracuse Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach

“The unique thing about him is that he’s really the No. 1 guy in the game – both men’s and women’s. He’s really the only guy that crosses over like that with his playing, coaching and innovativeness. Whether it’s indoor, outdoor, women’s, whatever he gets involved in, he tends to be right at the top. I think he’s a great asset to the University, for the athletic department and for the lacrosse programs – both of them.

“He reminds me a lot of Dr. Gross with the sky is the limit mentality. Gary is limitless and never worries about dreaming big and getting after it and figuring out a way to get there. He’s just a winner. He’s won here. He’s won at every level.” Matt Palumb – Orange Club Director of Donor Relations, former teammate

“Gary is an icon and has laid the foundation for the growth of lacrosse in Colorado. He will always have a place in Colorado sports history and we all wish him the very best.” Steve Govett – Colorado Mammoth General Manager