Roy Simmons Jr.

Having practically grown up on Syracuse's lacrosse field, it came as no surprise that Simmons elected to attend SU and play for the Orangemen once he graduated from Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire. In three years with the team, he was named an All-American twice, in 1957 and 1958. He served as team captain in 1958 as well. After graduating with a degree in sculpture in 1959 (Simmons' artwork is featured in museums across the United States), Simmons took a job as coach of Syracuse's freshman lacrosse team. He served in this position, and as an assistant coach with his father's varsity team, for twelve years. He took over as head coach of the varsity team in 1971, following his father's retirement.

Known for stressing academics and life skills as strongly as athletics, Simmons became the only men's lacrosse coach to capture five Division I national championships during his tenure. His 290-96 record made him the winningest coach in Syracuse's history. Simmons led the Orangemen to the national semifinals for sixteen years straight—his team lost a semifinal round to Princeton just prior to his announcing his retirement—and he coached 130 All-Americans, four national players of the year and five championship MVPs.