When you think of lacrosse, it is likely that the image of Gary Gait appears scoring a goal by leaping over the net from the back in the 1988 NCAA finals at the Carrier Dome. That unforgettable feat was just one of many notable footnotes in the life of the game’s greatest player.

Gait is a 10-time NCAA champion: three titles for the Orange (1988 – 90) and seven as an assistant women’s lacrosse coach at Maryland (1995 – 2001). At SU, Gary earned first-team All-American honors three times and was Player of the Year twice. As a pro, he was MVP of both the National Lacrosse League and Major League Lacrosse.

In August 2007, Gait returned to Piety Hill as women’s lacrosse coach. His first Orange team won the Big East season and tournament crowns and made it to the NCAA Final Four. Ever since that eye-popping initial season, Gait’s team has been rewriting the record books. He has recruited and coached some of the game’s greatest players, including Jen Adams, Katie Rowan, Kelly Amonte and 33 other All-Americans. Nine of his players have earned National Player of the Year honors.

Gary and his wife, Nicole, have two children, Taylor and Braedon.