GRANVILLE, Ohio — The 2021 Denison men’s lacrosse season came to an end on May 15 after another run into the NCAA postseason. On Sunday morning, longtime head coach Mike Caravana announced to his team that he would be stepping away from the program and passing the torch to the next steward of Denison Lacrosse.
If you spent some time chatting with Coach C during his 28-year tenure leading Denison lacrosse, he was always quick to point out that he was merely a caretaker of a program that was far greater than himself. Taking the reins in 1991 from Tommy Thomsen, this ethos provided the backbone for one of the most historically successful programs in Division III sports.
Putting others above yourself. Playing for the person next to you. Having the personal pride and drive to improve not only your game but all aspects of your life. These were just a few of the lessons that Caravana worked to instill in hundreds of Denison lacrosse alumni through the years.
“It has been an honor to be a part of the Denison community for all of these years. I take great pride in all that we have been able to accomplish over the nearly three decades, both on and off the field,” noted Caravana. “I am so grateful for the dedication and commitment made by all my players and assistant coaches through the years. Our continued high level of success could not have occurred without them and their hard work. Their support and generosity, enthusiasm, and loyalty reassure me that my years here were both impactful and fulfilling.”
Caravana arrived at Denison in the fall of 1990 and was hired to not only replace the fabled Thomsen but he was also asked to serve as the head coach of the Denison men’s soccer team, a position he held until 1996. Caravana continued at Denison until 2005 when a new opportunity at Woodberry Forest School called him and his family to the Virginia boarding school. Three years later, the Denison head coaching position was vacant and Caravana returned to the Hill.
Since he re-assumed the role as head coach in 2009, Denison has become a staple in the Division III national championship conversation, winning 85 percent of its games while advancing to the NCAA quarterfinals six times and the NCAA Semifinals in 2017.
Across all levels of NCAA lacrosse, Caravana ranks 18th in winning percentage and total wins. He is just one of 21 coaches in college lacrosse history to reach the 300-win milestone. He ranks 10th in Division III history in wins (320) and seventh in winning percentage (767). In 1994 he was named the USILA Division III Coach of the Year and he is a seven-time North Coast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year with his most recent award coming in 2021.
Denison has won 15 NCAC Championships and six of the eight NCAC Tournaments since it was introduced in 2013. If you’re talking NCAA Tournaments you might as well just pencil the Big Red into your bracket at the start of every season. Eighteen times Caravana has taken his squad to the NCAA postseason with a remarkable 11 appearances in the quarterfinals and Final Four berths in 1999, 2001, and 2017.
The people underneath the helmets are Caravana’s greatest achievement. He’s coached 75 USILA All-Americans, 17 USILA Scholar All-Americans, three first-team All-Americans, one NCAA Postgraduate Scholar, 15 NCAC Players of the Year and 133 first-team All-Conference picks.
Caravana has never had a losing season at Denison and in 2016 he passed his predecessor, Thomsen, as Denison’s all-time leader in wins. Professional development is also part of Caravana’s path. Not only did he enter as the head coach of two sports at Denison, from 2003-06 he served as an assistant coach with the United States Lacrosse National Team that resulted in a Silver medal at the International Lacrosse Federation World Championship. In 2016, Caravana also spent one season as the acting head field hockey coach while current head coach, PJ Soteriades, was out on leave.
“As a coach, all I have ever wanted to do was to make a positive impact in the lives of my players and coaches and do so in a way that would benefit them throughout their lives.”
Denison Vice President and Director of Athletics Nan Carney-DeBord is grateful for the leadership Caravana has provided to the program.
“Mike Caravana is a fierce competitor. He has coached young men throughout his career to compete at the highest level,” said Carney-DeBord. “His coaching record speaks for itself and leaves an impressive legacy. We wish Mike and his family nothing but the best.”
Caravana’s decision to step aside was not taken lightly but he felt the timing was right.
“I am looking forward to starting a new chapter in my life. I have been fortunate to have such a supportive wife in Ashlin, and my three sons, Nick, Sam, and Wyatt. They allowed me to put the necessary time in to have such a wonderful experience at Denison.”
****
Here’s the bullet point guide to the Mike Caravana Era of Denison Lacrosse.
The Mike Caravana File
-
28 Seasons (1991-2005, 2009-21)
-
Career Record: 320-97
-
Career Winning Percentage: .767
-
18 NCAA Tournament Appearances
-
11 NCAA Tournament Quarterfinal Appearances (Elite 8)
-
3 NCAA Semifinal Appearances (Final 4)
-
1994 USILA Division III Coach of the Year
-
2-time IMCLA West Region Coach of the Year
-
15 NCAC Championships
-
6 NCAC Tournament Championships (since 2013)
-
7-time NCAC Coach of the Year
-
One of 21 men’s lacrosse coaches with over 300 career victories
-
Charlottesville Chapter Lacrosse Hall of Fame
-
Ohio Lacrosse Foundation Hall of Fame
-
Long Island Metro Chapter Lacrosse Hall of Fame
Has Coached…
-
75 USILA All-Americans
-
17 USILA Scholar All-Americans
-
15 NCAC Players of the Year
-
133 NCAC First-Team selections
-
3 First-Team USILA All-Americans
-
1 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient