Fairfield Stags men's lacrosse
| Fairfield Stags | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Founded | 1973 |
| University | Fairfield University |
| Conference | CAA |
| Location | Fairfield, Connecticut |
| Coach | Andrew Copelan (2009–) |
| Stadium |
Rafferty Stadium (capacity: 3,500) |
| Nickname | Stags |
| Colors | Red |
| NCAA Tournament Appearances | |
| 2002, 2005 | |
| Conference Tournament Champions | |
| 1998 (ECAC), 1999 (ECAC) | |
| Conference Regular Season Champions | |
| 1996 (MAAC), 1997 (MAAC), 1998 (MAAC), 2002 (GWLL), 2005 (GWLL), 2014 (ECAC), 2015 (CAA), 2016 (CAA) | |
The Fairfield Stags men's lacrosse team represents Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut and competes in the Colonial Athletic Association of NCAA Division I. The Stags have won eight regular season conference titles since 1996 and competed in the NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Tournament in 2002 and 2005. The Stags play their home games at the new lacrosse-only Rafferty Stadium and are currently coached by Andrew Copelan.
As a Jesuit university, Fairfield shares a unique historical connection to the discovery of modern-day lacrosse. Jesuit missionaries first witnessed the game of "baggataway" being played amongst Native Americans during the 17th century. According to histories of the game, it was Saint John de Brebeuf S.J., a French Jesuit missionary in Canada, who named the present-day version of the Indian game lacrosse because the stick used reminded him of a bishop’s crosier, pronounced la crosse in French. Saint John de Brebeuf, S.J. is memoralized at Fairfield University with the #1 de Brebeuf Townhouse Unit named in his honor.
The Fairfield Stags men's lacrosse program first began in 1973 as a club team. Future Fairfield University Athletic Hall of Famer Will Mraz was a founding member and the offensive leader of the inaugural club team. The first coach of the Fairfield University Lacrosse Club was Ken Gilstein, Cornell '70, who coached the team during the 1972, 1973, 1976 and 1977 seasons. It was led by standout players Bob Rupp, and John Hughes in the 70s and John Callegari, future Fairfield University Athletic Hall of Famer Hugh "Skeets" Coyle, Joe Sargent, Mike Hone, Kevin Kuryla and Rich MacDonough in the 80s, the club team established itself as amongst the best in New England. In 1987, the team had an undefeated 11-0 season and won the New England Club Championship.
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