The Syracuse Men’s Lacrosse Summer Camps and Tournaments are operated by the Syracuse Men’s Lacrosse Coaching staff. The history of Syracuse lacrosse summer programs started over 25 years ago when the staff began the Syracuse Championship Lacrosse Camp which is still running today. Since the development of our first program we have also started an impressive day camp for up and coming lacrosse players as well as four tournament/clinic programs for high school aged players. Our staff has been committed to creating and developing programs that serve and advance young players. Our goal is to offer a quality experience while having a good time. All of Syracuse Lacrosse Summer Programs are a part of SULAX Inc. and are held at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York.

 

In his first 10 years as head men’s lacrosse coach at Syracuse University, John Desko has blazed a trail of excellence that speaks for itself and distinguishes him as one of the most-respected coaches in the nation and the world. Throughout his tenure, he has maintained the winning tradition that is Orange lacrosse. Since replacing Hall of Fame coach Roy Simmons Jr. in 1999, Desko has kept the Orange in the hunt for an NCAA title each and every year and he has brought home the national championship trophy four times (2000, 2002, 2004, 2008).

In the process, Desko established a successful leadership style recognized by many in the lacrosse world. His legacy of achievement led to his selection as the USILA Division I Coach of the Year in 2008 and his being named the head coach of the 2006 U.S. National Team that competed at the ILF World Championship. They are just two of many honors bestowed upon Desko during his sparkling career.

 
 

Roy Simmons III took over as Syracuse’s offensive coordinator in 2008 and immediately put his stamp on the unit. He crafted the nation’s second-highest scoring offense (13.6 goals per game) to help the Orange win its 10th NCAA title. For Simmons, it was his seventh championship as a member of the Orange coaching staff.

Under Simmons, the Orange scored at least 10 goals in 16 of its 18 games in 2008, including two 20-goal performances. The squad put up 245 goals and boasted seven 20-goal scorers, the most for an SU squad since 1985.

A 1985 graduate of Syracuse with a bachelor’s degree in physical education, Simmons received his master’s degree in counselor education from SU in 1992. As a player, he lettered in lacrosse under his father from 1978-81 and played in two NCAA Tournaments.

  
 

A veteran head lacrosse coach at the Division III and professional levels, Lelan Rogers was named an assistant coach following the 2007 season and serves as the Orange’s defensive coordinator. Prior to his current appointment, Rogers worked as SU’s director of lacrosse operations for two seasons and was the head coach of Major League Lacrosse’s (MLL) Chicago Machine in 2007.

In 2008, his first season as the Orange’s defensive coordinator, Rogers was the architect of a unit that posted a 7.62 goals-against average, the best mark for an SU defense since 1970. Syracuse held 13 of its 18 opponents to fewer than 10 goals on its way to the NCAA Championship.

A 1987 graduate of Syracuse University, Rogers returned to his alma mater in 2005, following a five-year stint as head men’s lacrosse coach at Cortland.

  
 

Kevin Donahue has made his mark as one of the most innovative and respected coaches in the game. A Syracuse University alum, Donahue is a past recipient of the Jay Gallagher Award, which goes to the nation’s outstanding Division I assistant coach. He won the award in 2001.

Donahue’s coaching focus is on the team’s faceoff specialists and goaltenders, in addition to helping Lelan Rogers coordinate the defense. He is also in charge of the Orange’s man-down unit.

Donahue was an All-American midfielder for the Orange in 1977 (honorable mention), 1978 (second team) and 1979 (first team). A high school and college teammate of John Desko, Donahue was coach Roy Simmons Jr.’s first first-team All-American and he helped the program earn its first NCAA Tournament invitation as a senior. Donahue received his bachelor’s degree in biology from SU in 1979.