At Johns Hopkins University, he was named to the Honorable Mention All-American Team in 1948, First Team in 1949 and Third Team in 1950. He led the Blue Jays to national championship titles in 1947,1948, and 1950, and shared national titles with Navy in 1949. Adams represented Hopkins in the 1949 and 1950 North/South Collegiate All-Star games. He played for Mt. Washington Lacrosse Club from 1951-1956.

Adams served as the head coach at St.Paul's school, 1951-1953; Mt. Washington Club, 1957; United States Military Academy, 1958-1969; University of Pennsylvania, 1969-1977 and took over as head lacrosse coach at the University of Virginia in 1977. Adams served as President of the USLCA from 1963-1964, and has served on many NCAA, USILA and Lacrosse Foundation Committees from 1965 to date.