Cornell's 1977 NCAA Lacrosse Championship: A Legacy of Dominance
Introduction
The year 1977 stands as a monumental marker in the history of Cornell University lacrosse. It was the year the Big Red cemented their place as a dynasty, capturing their second consecutive NCAA Championship and their third in seven years. This victory, led by legendary coach Richie Moran and star player Eamon McEneaney, capped off an undefeated season and solidified a legacy of excellence that continues to inspire the program to this day.
The Undefeated Season
In 1977, Cornell completed a second undefeated season, becoming the first team to win back-to-back championships. The 1977 Hobart lacrosse team rattled off an unblemished 15-0 record, just the third undefeated season in program history. Led for the second straight year by Coach Richard M. Moran and USILA most outstanding player winner Eamon McEneaney, Cornell capped off a 13-0 season with a 16-8 victory over Johns Hopkins in the finals. The 1977 season was a display of dominance, with the Big Red showcasing their talent and determination in every game.
The Championship Game
The championship game pitted Cornell against a formidable opponent in Johns Hopkins. However, the Big Red proved to be too much to handle, securing a decisive 16-8 victory. McEneaney scored three goals and assisted on five others, while Hall of Famer Dan Mackesey was a solid in goal with 14 saves. This victory marked the 29th straight for Cornell and their third title in seven NCAA tournaments.
Key Players
Several key players contributed to Cornell's success in 1977, including:
Eamon McEneaney: McEneaney was the driving force behind Cornell's offense, earning the Lt. Raymond Enners Memorial Award as the most outstanding player in D-I and capturing the NCAA Tournament MVP en route to a title victory. He was a two-time national champion. McEneaney teamed with Hall of Fame players Mike French, Dan Mackesey, Bill Marino, Bob Hendrickson, and Chris Kane, and coach Richie Moran to lead the Cornell Big Red to the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship in 1976 and 1977.
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Dan Mackesey: Mackesey was a stalwart in goal, providing crucial saves and leadership to the defense. Dan Mackesey repeated as the winner of the Ens. C.M. Kelly, Jr.
Richie Moran: As head coach, Moran instilled a culture of excellence and teamwork, guiding the Big Red to unprecedented success. Coach Moran earned his second Morris Touchstone Award as the Division I Coach of the Year.
Richie Moran's Influence
Richie Moran established Cornell’s program in the modern era of college lacrosse. In 29 seasons from 1969-97, the legendary head coach won three NCAA Championships, posted a 257-121 record and captured 15 Ivy League titles. Moran's influence on the program extended beyond the field. He recruited players from similar areas - Baltimore, central and upstate New York and Long Island being the most prominent - which allowed coinciding personalities to mix in the Big Red locker room. He instilled a sense of camaraderie and dedication that became synonymous with Cornell lacrosse. Before games, Moran would find a few players and hit them with one of his many one-liners, Griffin said. “He sees me coming in, and he says, ‘Hey big boy, get ready,’” Griffin said. It’s a tradition Moran enacted whenever he thought his players were “dogging it” in practice, Griffin said. There wasn’t time to sulk in Moran’s program - you were either all-in or all-out. Moran bringing in a collection of top-flight players is what Griffin believes is the No. 1 reason for the Big Red’s mid-70s surge. Buczek, a three-time All-American midfielder at Cornell, draws inspiration from the Moran-McEneaney days. He said Moran’s influence worked wonders for him when taking the Big Red head coaching gig before the 2020 season. Moran didn’t “ride into the sunset” upon retirement, Buczek said, and his involvement with the program helped the head coach get used to his new digs.
Eamon McEneaney's Legacy
One of the best athletes in school history, McEneaney ranks second all-time in points at Cornell with 256. In 1977, he earned the Lt. Raymond Enners Memorial Award for the most outstanding player in D-I and captured the NCAA Tournament MVP en route to a title victory. No one wanted to win more than McEneaney, Griffin said. The attack took that to a new level before the 1977 NCAA Championship game in Charlottesville, Virginia. Griffin said McEneaney was riled up before the battle with Johns Hopkins that Sunday afternoon. and went on a five-mile run. McEneaney died in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks at 46 years old. The memories of McEneaney’s lively spirit carry on to this day. He once said the team who wins a lacrosse game is the team that loves each other the most. Eamon McEneaney was voted the outstanding player in the 1977 NCAA tournament and also represented the United States in the 1978 World Lacrosse Championships. He was inducted into the Cornell Sports Hall of Fame in 1982. McEneaney was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1992. His top season was 1975 when he scored 31 goals and handed out 65 assists for 96 total points in 17 games, and was named the USILA player of the year. That year, he was also awarded the Turnbull Award given to the top collegiate attackman. In 1995, he was named to the NCAA's Silver Anniversary Lacrosse Team, recognizing his place among the best players of the first quarter century of NCAA lacrosse.
The Drought and the 2025 Championship
Cornell would not lose again until the following year's championship game again versus Johns Hopkins. Four seasons ago, the Big Red, who hadn’t won an NCAA Championship since 1977, battled Maryland for the title. No. 1 seed Cornell defeated No. 2 seed Maryland in the NCAA Championship game at Gillette Stadium for the program’s first national title since 1977. Behind a six-goal masterclass from Kirst, the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player, the Big Red forced the tactically sound Terrapins into a game they didn’t want to play - one filled with turnovers, clearing issues and a showcase of Cornell’s supreme talent. For Cornell, it marks the first NCAA team title in any sport since men’s lacrosse’s 1977 title, which at the time was its third in seven years under legendary head coach Richie Moran.
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Echoes of the Past
From Moran to Buczek, to McEneaney to Kirst, key figures of Cornell’s 1977 team were reincarnated. Timeless stories of Big Red alumni are part of why Kirst chose Cornell in the first place. He quickly learned McEneaney was one of the greatest teammates possible, and he wanted to do the same for others. Kirst said he played the championship game for McEneaney, French and all those who came before him.
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tags: #1977 #ncaa #lacrosse #championship #details
