Navy Lacrosse (NAVYLAX)

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11/08/2009

Jeff Long's '77 Induction into National Hall of Fame - Navy Lacrosse Reunion !!

What a night !!

Jeff Long '77 turned the U. S. Lacrosse Annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony into a celebration of the brotherhood of Navy Lacrosse.

Each inductee was given a chance to speak about their accomplishments, and reflect on the people who helped them achieve the sport's highest honor.

Most of the athlete's thanked their parents and coaches and teammates and spoke about their accomplishments, but Longman used his time to "celebrate" the brotherhood of Navy Lacrosse and provide a glimpse of life at the Naval Academy to the assembled crowd. It was at times funny, touching, and heart-warming. From descriptions of "alternative transportation" into and out of the Yard, to wearing his Blue Chuck Taylors with the Gold laces. Longman did it his way - and honored everyone who ever wore the uniform - all at once.

The NAVYLAX team was well represented, starting with the NAVYLAX Recognition Committee, led by Jim Lewis '66, Mike Buzzell '80, Tommy Hagan '69 and Greg Murphy '70. These men along with Karl Rippelmeyer '60, George Tracy '63, Mike Coughlin '64, and Carl Tamulevich '68 were responsible for submitting the nomination package that resulted in Jeff Long's '77 election to the National Hall of Fame.

Jeff McKee (aka Little Magoo) who played two years with the Class of '80 (being named All America as a sophomore) before going on to Syracuse to make All America twice more served as Jeff's introducer. He did a wonderful job. Jeff McKee is the younger brother of Tom McKee '77 (aka Big Magoo).

Coach Meade and his wife Sue were there - leading the parade of the last 6 decades of Navy Lacrosse.

The other NAVYLAX members were Jack Renard '55, Jake Lawlor '75, Paul Gustin '75, Skip Miller '77, Roy Cranford '78, Steve Hincks '78, Jeff Johnson '79, Gary Herbold '79, Rob Schoeneck '80, Ken "Butts" McIhenny '80, Roger Sexauer '80, Bob Zimmerman '82, Buddy Garland '84. It was quite an honor to be part of Jeff's group.

The write-up of Jeff's accomplishments on the US Lacrosse website included:

JEFFREY LONG

Jeffrey Long (Naval Academy '77) will be inducted as a truly great player. Long played high school lacrosse at Irondequoit (Rochester, N.Y.) where he was a two-time All-American and four-time All-League selectee. At the Naval Academy Long was a three-time All-American (1975, 1976, 1977), and is the school's career leader in total points (233) and assists (149). He set the school's single-season assists record with 53 in 1977. Long was an attackman for the 1978 and 1986 U.S. Men's National Teams, winning a world championship in 1986. He also served as an assistant coach for the 1998 World Champion U.S. Men's National Team. He has been a highly-successful coach at Ithaca College since 1988. Long was inducted into the US Lacrosse Greater Rochester Chapter Hall of Fame (1992) and the United States Naval Academy Hall of Fame (2007).

It was a great night for Navy Lacrosse !!

Go Navy !!

Buddy Garland '84