Roy Simmons Jr.
HALL OF FAME FORMER SYRACUSE COACH
His biggest thing was, “We want gold,” meaning we want the gold trophy. As coach at Syracuse, he went to 16 straight final fours and the goal at the beginning of every season was to go home with the gold trophy. Not the silver,
2 3 4 5 Bill Tierney
HALL OF FAME DENVER COACH
At Princeton, he ended my sophomore, junior and senior years, so I don’t know why I’m giving him props. But I’ve had the chance to play for him in 1998 with Team USA. He was first-class. To watch and see what he’s done as a coach for the past 20-some years
Syracuse coach Roy Simmons Jr. taught players more about life than lacrosse during a string of 16 straight final four appearances.
not the bronze.
Our saying in the locker room was “Head, Heart, Hustle.” You play lacrosse with your head and your heart and you always hustle. He would write on the board 1:18-24, which is a Bible verse, meaning today is the day to enjoy and embrace and rejoice in and give all you got — don’t think about yesterday or tomorrow, but take advantage of the day. That’s something that we deeply became believers in. I feel like that was a big part of my success and still is. I don’t think I learned anything lacrosse from him, but it was all little stories, how to behave and act, how to be a man and teammate.
laxmagazine.com
is unbelievable. He’s hard on the people that play for him, and he’s a lot different than, say Coach Simmons would be, but to be able to do what he’s done bringing programs to the top is admirable. All the young lacrosse players in the country know who he is. He’s made a huge impact on lacrosse. His move to Denver was and is major. It’s
something that has changed the game.
He was a roommate and teammate of Roy Simmons Jr. While I played at Syracuse, Oren would pop up here and there. When you talk about how unique lacrosse is, the fact that it was originated by Native Americans, he is one person that protects the integrity and relationship and the Native American roots to the current state of the game. He’s the messenger of the spirit of the game. He’s the chief and leader of his people. It’s pretty amazing that there is somebody like that in our game. It goes to show you how unique and amazing the game is, that there is more meaning than just sport. Oren Lyons has been the guy, to me, that has been able to help maintain that relationship and be such a great leader for other Native American lacrosse enthusiasts that continue to carry the message.
Chief Oren Lyons
NATIVE AMERICAN FAITHKEEPER
Payu
Nerngchamnong THAILAND LACROSSE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT
He came to the United States and went to boarding school in Massachusetts. He went to a UMass game and saw the way I played and wanted to get my autograph. I came off the field and that’s when I first met him. I’ve gotten to know him. To see what he’s done from an international standpoint is awesome. He’s put his whole heart into it and he’s honorable in the way he’s done it. He’s made a difference in Thailand and Asian lacrosse. He’s made a huge
impact and continues to do so.
October 2015 » LACROSSE MAGAZINE
33
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