EASTON, Pa. - The Lafayette men's lacrosse team held its annual alumni weekend and banquet on Sept. 25-26.
On Friday, festivities began with a Lafayette lacrosse legends game, followed by a game that featured the current team versus younger alumni. Afterwards, everyone gathered at Wallach Sports Performance and Lacrosse Center for an alumni social event. The following day, the program held its annual banquet to dole out awards for the 2026 campaign before attending the Lafayette football game against Holy Cross.
"Alumni weekend is always a very special event for our program. The alumni game represents the love our alums have for Lafayette Lacrosse, and allows them to spend time with and meet the next wave of young Leopards. And of course, It was an honor to recognize the Class of 2026 and all their accomplishments on and off the field with our signature Saturday event," said head coach Patrick Myers. "Seeing past captains and leaders of the program present awards to the current team is something that I always look forward to, and provides inspiration for the 2027 squad and beyond. Overall, the connection and bond that our alumni have with our current players is something we have worked hard to build over the last 9 years and our team knows that we are the torch bearers for all those who came before us and wore the Maroon and White."
Several team awards were given out by the Leopards, during the team's banquet on Saturday. The award winners and presenters are listed below.
DMGB Strength and Conditioning Award
This player consistently showed improvement in the weight room and had the ability to impact his teammates through his positive attitude and exceptional work ethic during strength and conditioning workouts. Doesn't Matter – Get Better.
Presenter: Steve Plunkett, Director of Strength and Conditioning
Winner: Brendan Poirier '27
Rookie of the Year
Awarded to the freshman who made the most valuable contributions to help his team's success throughout the entire season.
Presenter: Rob Bradfield '01
Winner: Charlie Foley '29
Academic Excellence Award
Awarded to a member of the Lafayette lacrosse Team who had the highest GPA after the course of the year from Fall 2023 – Spring 2024.
Presenter: Katherine Hennessey, Assistant Director for Student-Athlete Success
Winners: Erik Volfson '29
Most Improved Player
Awarded to the player who, through personal effort to develop his lacrosse ability, has shown the greatest improvement this past season.
Presenter: Jud Hall, Associate Head Coach
Winner: Aidan Kopen '26
David Heard Unsung Hero Award
David Heard sadly lost his battle with Neuroblastoma in 2011 at the age of 10. David was a friend of College Hill as his parents were closely connected with Lafayette. David started the Crane project to bring hope to children with cancer. David's wish was to find a cure for childhood cancer one day, as a 10-year-old David had a life and spirit that is not often found in children that age, he is an inspiration to all of us. The David Heard Unsung Hero award is given to a Lafayette Lacrosse player who represents grit, perseverance, and has overcome adversity while still maintaining a positive attitude amongst his teammates and coaching staff. This person inspires his teammates to overcome any challenge, big or small, and displays the mental toughness to keep fighting.
Presenter: Liam Sargent '25
Winner: Lukas DiGiovanni '26
Leopard Award
Awarded to the player who showed the greatest toughness on ground balls and consistently showed physical/mental toughness on a daily basis. He defines what "playing like a leopard" looks like.
Presenter: Evan Prince '25
Winner: George Urich '27
Ron Constable '85 Brotherhood Award
Awarded to the player who consistently inspired and led his teammates both on and off the field through his unselfishness, outstanding leadership, and "We Over Me" mindset. This player consistently built high levels of trust with his teammates and the staff, through daily relentless effort, and an unwavering loyalty to the brotherhood.
Presenter: Gabe Cummins '25
Winner: Joe Doherty '26
Offensive MVP
Awarded to the member of the Lafayette Lacrosse team who made the most valuable contribution on the offensive end to help his team's success throughout the entire season.
Presenter: Riley Sullivan '25
Winner: Benjamin DiBattista '28, Joseph Duggan '28
Defensive MVP
Awarded to the member of the Lafayette Lacrosse team who made the most valuable contributions on the defensive end to help his team's success throughout the entire season.
Presenter: Jud Hall, Associate Head Coach
Winner: Nick Faccone '27
Bill Lawson Service to Lafayette Lacrosse Award
Coach Lawson was a great person, who had a tremendous impact as a coach and teacher of hundreds of student-athletes. He enjoyed being around the kids, teaching them, and making them just a little bit better. His legacy is not tied to the wins and losses, rather it is instead tied to the important things in life. While Coach Lawson was coaching at Lafayette, he continued to donate his time to high school programs in the Easton area teaching young folks how to read & write. After he retired Coach Lawson continued to Volunteer his time as an assistant coach for the next 8 years, which speaks volumes with regard to how much he loved coaching kids the game of lacrosse and the bigger picture of life long skills. The Bill Lawson award goes to someone who, in his image, has given the greatest service to Lafayette over this past year or past several years.
Sponsor: Harvey Cohen '40
Presenter: Patrick Myers, Head Coach
Winner: Brendan Morrison
Liam Gleason Humanitarian Award
In honor of the Sienna Head Coach, Liam Gleason. The recipient exemplifies leadership, unwavering support for teammates and staff, outstanding sportsmanship, and meaningful community involvement. The individual on the roster whose teammates most aspire to emulate.
Presenter: Patrick Myers, Head Coach
Winner: Zach Zukowsky '26
To keep up with the Lafayette men's lacrosse team, follow its social media pages.
X/@LafayetteMLAX | Instagram/@lafayettemlax | Facebook/GoLeopards
