The lacrosse team at Williams has seen steady growth since George McCormack took over the program in 2004, culminating with a breakout year in 2007.
 
Starting the 2007 season ranked in the top 20 nationally the Eph lacrosse program took some very large steps towards establishing a reputation as one of the best teams in both the NESCAC and the country.
 
The 2007 Ephs accomplished the following:

•    Made semifinals of NESCAC Tournament for first time in program's history

•    Doubled league wins from 3 to 6

•    Beat Middlebury 10-6, securing the Williams-Middlebury Trophy for the first time in 14 years

•    Gave Tufts their only NESCAC loss with a 11-5 victory

•    Beat arch rival Amherst on the road 9-5 for the first time in 10 years

•    Had 5 players named All-NESCAC, most ever for Williams lacrosse

WILLIAMS TRADITION

Dixon Hargrove '08

A past survey by Lacrosse Magazine, cross-referencing Division III national lacrosse rankings with a ranking of the top 25 national liberal arts colleges, named Williams the top choice for those seeking the best combination of academic excellence and lacrosse prominence.

The tradition that is Williams’s men's lacrosse began in 1928, when as a sport it first achieved intercollegiate status. During the late 40's and early 50's, the Williams lacrosse team became a national power. The 1958 team was undefeated and New England champion. New England championships ensued in 1959, 1960, 1961 and 1965. In 1965 and 1966, the team captured USILA Taylor Division honors.

In 1972, men's lacrosse became an NCAA sport, and Williams entered Division III and the Snively Division, named after former Williams lacrosse coach A. Barr "Whoops" Snively, Jr.

Since then, Williams has won the Snively title six times. In 1973, the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) started a post-season tournament for Division III New England colleges. In the past 26 years, Williams has appeared in the ECAC-New England tournament 23 times, winning the championship in 1973, 1979, 1994, 1999, and 2000.

Brian Morrissey '09

Since 1961, Williams, Wesleyan, and Amherst have competed for a Little Three championship in lacrosse, and Williams won an impressive 9 consecutive Little Three titles from 1989-1997.

The men's lacrosse program at Williams has produced many All-American, All-New England and All-Snively Division players. Top Williams players have played in the North/South Lacrosse game as well as the New England All-Division All-Star game. Many continue to play on various club teams after graduation and return to Williamstown to renew friendships and revive lacrosse memories in the spirited bi-annual alumni game.

As former captain Ian A.S. Smith '91 observes:
"The recent success of Williams lacrosse cannot be measured by winning percentage, though it has been high. The success of the program is found in its timeless nature. Tales pass from one generation of Williams players to the next, and each player is well aware of the heritage. When a player joins the Williams lacrosse team, he enters a continuum, which has modeled itself on strong athletic and personal achievement. Four years of lacrosse on a tight-knit Williams team are great, but greater still is the lasting influence of the lacrosse experience, which extends beyond the all-too-finite undergraduate years.