6:17 P.M. – Gary Gait, a former Syracuse great who helped revolutionize lacrosse, is officially the new head coach of the Syracuse women’s lacrosse team.

The Syracuse athletics department announced the hiring through a press release Monday afternoon. Gait will be introduced by SU Director of Athletics Daryl Gross at a press conference Tuesday at 12:45 p.m.

‘I am completely thrilled to have the opportunity to be back at Syracuse,’ Gait said in a statement released by SU Athletics. ‘I’m looking forward to working to take the women’s lacrosse program to the next level.’

The Daily Orange reported of the hiring on July 31, but an official announcement from Gross wasn’t made until today.

Gait was about to start his third season as head coach of the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League before Gross began showing interest in Gait coaching the women’s team at Syracuse.

As an athlete, Gait led SU to three Division I championships from 1988 through 1990 and set a school record with 192 goals. A three-time first-team All-American, Gait also holds a single-season record of 70 goals in 1988.

For more, read tomorrow’s Daily Orange.

Published on August 26, 2007 at 12:00 pm