Measuring the success of a coach not in victories but in the care and guidance given to the development of young men who play the game.
The Gerald J. Carroll, Jr. Exemplary Coaching Award, established in 1994 in memory of Gerry Carroll, is given annually to one boys' high school coach nationwide who reflects the attributes of the award's namesake. Coach Carroll spent a good part of his brief 46 years playing, watching, and coaching lacrosse. Greater than his love for the sport, however, was his commitment to give back to young people some of the lifetime of lessons he himself took from the game.
who was Gerry Carroll?
Gerry Carroll was an uncommon man: a community leader, Navy pilot and war hero, rugged individualist, devoted husband and father, loyal friend, and successful author. He died prematurely in 1993. Throughout his life, he developed and used his many talents with a sense of responsibility for the betterment of society and for the cultivation of virtue. Gerry exemplified the conviction that a life is only lived well when it is lived generously in the service of others.
Gerry played lacrosse at Baltimore's Loyola High School and at Boston College, where he captained the team. He coached on both the collegiate level (U.S. Naval Academy, St. Mary's College) and the high school level (U.S. Navy Prep School, St. Mary's Ryken).
Nominations
Nominees for the Carroll Award must demonstrate support and care for players in their growth and development as young adults and leaders on and off the playing field. Nominees must also be members in good standing of USA Lacrosse. The recipient is chosen by a committee comprised of Carroll friends and family. The annual deadline is December 1.
Nominations require:
-- Submission of the candidate's lacrosse resume.
-- Two letters of recommendation.
The Prior Winners
| Gerald J. Carroll Exemplary Coaching Award |
|---|
| 1994 • Mike Messere, West Genesee High School, Camillus, N.Y |
| 1995 • Cliff Gillespie, St. Paul’s School, Concord, N.H. |
| 1996 • Tom Hall, Fayetteville Manlius High School, Fayetteville, N.Y. |
| 1997 • Doug Tarring, St. Anne’s-Belfield School, Charlottesville, Va. |
| 1998 • John Linehan, Lower Merion High School, Ardmore, Pa. |
| 1999 • John Sothoron, St. Mary’s Ryken High School, Leonardtown, Md. |
| 2000 • Ted Wolford, Upper Arlington High School, Columbus, Ohio |
| 2001 • Larry Briggs, Amherst Regional High School, Amherst, Mass |
| 2002 • Larry Wink, Tully Senior High School, Tully, N.Y. |
| 2003 • Tom Acee, Henninger High School, Syracuse, N.Y. |
| 2004 • David White, Salmon River Central School, Fort Covington, N.Y. |
| 2005 • John Baker Jr., Chesapeake High School, Baltimore, Md. |
| 2006 • Chris Kenneally, Fayetteville Manlius High School, Fayetteville, N.Y. |
| 2007 • John Piper, North Carroll High School, Hampstead, Md. |
| 2008 • Steve Tripp, Glen Cove High School, N.Y. |
| 2009 • Andrew Bolger, Pope John Paul II High School, Boca Raton, Fla. |
| 2010 • Toby Plank, Evergreen High School, Evergreen, Colo. |
| 2011 • Greg Barnard, Midlothian High School, Midlothian, Va. |
| 2012 • Mike Jolly, De La Salle Collegiate High School, Warren, Mich. |
| 2013 • Bob Hartranft, Farmingdale High School, Farmingdale, N.Y. |
| 2014 • Wendell Thomas, Atholton High School, Columbia, Md. |
| 2015 • Bob Shriver, Boys' Latin School, Baltimore, Md. |
| 2016 • Rob Bordley, Landon School, Bethesda, Md. |
| 2017 • Justin Georgacakis, Glenbrook North High School, Northbrook, Ill. |
| 2018 • (not awarded) |
| 2019 • Neil Duffy, Norfolk Academy, Norfolk, Va. |
| 2020 • (not awarded due to COVID-19) |
| 2021 • Adam White, St. Sebastian's School, Needham, Mass. |
| 2022 • Ben Hunt, Auburn High School, Auburn, Ala. |
| 2023 • Dejon Hush, Bishop Blanchet High School, Seattle, Wash. |