GARDEN CITY, N.Y. — It is with great sadness that the Adelphi University department of athletics announces that former men’s lacrosse/soccer student-athlete and head coach Paul “Doc” Doherty passed away early Sunday morning at the age of 79.
“Paul Doherty understood what college athletics is all about — developing young adults and providing them the tools to allow them to be successful in life. His teams were successful on the field, and his former players have remained connected to the program and one another. He will be missed,” said Adelphi director of athletics and campus recreation, Danny McCabe.
Doherty, the program’s all-time winningest coach, first came to Adelphi in the late 1950’s as a two-sport athlete in soccer and lacrosse. He captained both teams, but distinguished himself on the lacrosse field, where he starred at two positions.
Doherty first succeeded in goal and completed his junior year as the nation’s leader in saves with 243. Then, as a senior, Doherty ditched the goalie stick for a short stick and led the Panthers in scoring as a starting attackman.
A two-time recipient of Adelphi’s Most Outstanding Student-Athlete Award, Doherty graduated from Adelphi in 1962 and earned induction to the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1967.
In 1970, Doc returned to Adelphi, this time as the program’s head coach. He spent over two decades (1970-91) on the sidelines and posted a record of 184-105. Doherty ranks in the top 20 all-time in Division II for career wins and winning percentage (.636).
Doherty, in addition to overseeing a transition to Division I status, led his teams to 11 NCAA tournament appearances and a pair of NCAA Division II national championships in 1979 and 1981. He also developed 39 USILA All-Americans and two NCAA National Players of the Year (Bob Engelke, Ken King) under his watch, as well as the nation’s best defenseman (Scott Grubert) in 1979, best goalkeeper (John Kane) in 1980 and best midfielder (Kevin Meinsen) in 1981.
Adelphi compiled a 9-5 record all-time in the NCAA Division II tournament with Doherty at the helm, and in their two national championship seasons, the Panthers only lost a combined five regular-season contests — three of which came by one goal.
Doherty twice coached at the USILA North/South All-Star Game in his career and was elected to the Long Island Metro Lacrosse Foundation Hall of Fame in 1989 and the second induction class of the Intercollegiate Men’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IMLCA) Hall of Fame in 2016.
A celebration of Doherty’s life will be held at a later date. Details will be announced once they have been confirmed.
Former Student-Athletes and Coaches Reflect on “Doc’s” Passing
Bob Engelke ‘79: “Paul Doherty put Adelphi University lacrosse on the map. He fostered a team camaraderie that allowed players to reach higher goals, both athletically and personally, than thought possible. For me, he was not just my coach. He was my mentor and most importantly, my friend. He will be missed, but never forgotten.”
Ed Hughes ‘81: “He was not only a coach, but a father figure to me. He took a young boy with dreams and turned him into a winner and, most of all, a man. I was not only lucky enough to play for him, I got to coach next to him for nine years. What he taught me about lacrosse and life molded me into the person I am today as a father, husband and coach.”
Gordon Purdie ’88, Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach: “Paul Doherty was more than a coach to me. He was a mentor, friend and father. Doc believed in people, always thought outside of the box and never did anything for himself. Today, we are sad and mourn the loss of the man who built Adelphi lacrosse into a national power. We are blessed that he graced the program and our lives with his presence, wisdom, passion and love. We will never forget him.”
Bob Quinn ‘86: “A good coach can change a game, a great coach can change a life. Paul “Doc” Doherty was a great coach. He changed the lives of so many of his players. He gave us the opportunity to play college lacrosse, while earning a degree. He instilled in all of us the skills to succeed in life.”
Kevin Sheehan, Former Assistant/Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach: “Lacrosse lost a giant last night when Paul Doherty passed away. Paul taught his players that their reach should exceed their grasp, in doing so, Paul’s players learned far more than lacrosse at Adelphi. Every player in his tenure knows this and has a love for Paul more than words can ever express.”