Richard Edell

Big Man, collegiate coaching legend, two-time national coach of the year, five-time ACC coach of the year, all-time winningest coach in ACC history, coach of four ACC championship teams, University of Maryland Hall of Fame inductee, Towson State graduate, two-time All-America midfielder, dedicated president of USLCA, officer of US Lacrosse, Spirit of Tewaaraton honoree, frequent volunteer speaker on behalf of lacrosse.

Dick Edell is an educator. That he is one of the most successful coaches in the history of the sport of lacrosse is a reflection of his special talents in teach- ing and leading young men. These talents include his thorough knowledge of the game, his lifelong dedica- tion, and his fierce competitiveness. But more than anything else, what he always brought to the coach- ing sidelines were personal feelings. And his players loved him for that. He was a players’ coach.

His love for the game, for his fellow coaches, and for his players was evident at all times. He spent his en- tire coaching career doing what he loved with people he loved to be around.

In 29 collegiate seasons as a head coach, including 18 at Maryland, Dick amassed a lifetime record of 282-123. With stints at the University of Baltimore, Army and Maryland, Edell retired as the nation’s sec- ond-winningest active coach. He is the fifth all-time winningest coach in men’s lacrosse annals.

Affectionately known on the College Park campus as “Big Man,” he led his teams to three NCAA championship lacrosse games and 20 NCAA Tournament appearances (17 in Division I), including 13 at Maryland. He ranks second among coaches in number of NCAA tournament appearances. In 32 years as a high school and college head coach, he never had a losing record. He was the coach of two MSAA championship teams while at Calvert Hall HS. He also coached the University of Baltimore to a Division II national soccer championship in 1975.

After untold years of youth and coaching clinic appearances, Dick continues to give back to the game he loves. He currently serves as Chair of theTewaaraton Men’s Selection Committee and is the immediate past Secretary of the US Lacrosse Executive Committee.

He and his wife Dolores reside in Glenelg, MD but now commute on a regular basis to Newark, Delaware where their youngest daughter Erin is a member of the Blue Hens’ la- crosse team. Daughters Lisa and Krissy are both Maryland graduates. Son Gregg enjoyed a successful lacrosse career at Dartmouth and currently works in New York City.