Photo by: Beverly Schaefer
Princeton To Host Denver March 26 In Bill Tierney's Homecoming
August 22, 2018 | Men's Lacrosse
Bill Tierney has coached more games on Sherrerd Field than any other men's lacrosse coach. Now he gets to add another one on what figures to be a very special early spring evening.
Tierney, who coached the Princeton men's lacrosse team to six NCAA championships, will bring his current team, the Denver Pioneers, to Princeton this coming season for a game Tuesday, March 26 (game time to be determined).
Princeton and Denver are two of the top offensive teams in the country, and the Tigers return the entire starting attack from a team that ranked third in Division I in goals per game a year ago. Still, as intriguing as the on-field matchup will be, no visiting coach will ever feel quite as home as Tierney will that day.
"The opportunity to add Denver to the schedule presented itself, and we of course jumped at the opportunity," said Princeton head coach Matt Madalon. "First, it gives our guys the chance to play another high-quality opponent on our home field. And second, we could not be more thrilled to welcome Coach Tierney back to Princeton. His success here has set the standard for the program, and he has remained one of our most loyal supporters since he left. It should be a great game, and we're really looking forward to it."
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Taking over a program that had never been to the NCAA tournament before he got there, Tierney coached Princeton for 22 seasons, going 238-86, with eight NCAA finals, 10 NCAA Final Fours and 14 Ivy League championships in addition to the six NCAA titles. He was a 2002 inductee into the U.S. Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
He left Princeton after the 2009 season to take over at Denver, and he has only enhanced his legacy during his time with the Pioneers. He has made nine NCAA tournament appearances in nine seasons and has taken Denver - which had also never won an NCAA tournament game prior to his arrival - to five Final Fours and the 2015 NCAA championship, making him the only men's lacrosse coach to have won an NCAA title with two schools. His record at Denver is 122-36.
And now his two teams will be brought together.
"I knew this day would eventually arrive and am thankful for the opportunity to bring together the two places that have allowed me to live my passion while incorporating my family, coaching amazing student athletes and developing lifelong friendships along the way," Tierney said. "My current Denver players have never been to Princeton and the current Princeton players don't know me. Therefore, both groups will look forward to a great Division I lacrosse game between two outstanding programs. We thank Coach Madalon for agreeing to host the Pioneers and know what a challenge it will be."
Princeton's complete 2019 schedule will be released shortly.
Tierney, who coached the Princeton men's lacrosse team to six NCAA championships, will bring his current team, the Denver Pioneers, to Princeton this coming season for a game Tuesday, March 26 (game time to be determined).
Princeton and Denver are two of the top offensive teams in the country, and the Tigers return the entire starting attack from a team that ranked third in Division I in goals per game a year ago. Still, as intriguing as the on-field matchup will be, no visiting coach will ever feel quite as home as Tierney will that day.
"The opportunity to add Denver to the schedule presented itself, and we of course jumped at the opportunity," said Princeton head coach Matt Madalon. "First, it gives our guys the chance to play another high-quality opponent on our home field. And second, we could not be more thrilled to welcome Coach Tierney back to Princeton. His success here has set the standard for the program, and he has remained one of our most loyal supporters since he left. It should be a great game, and we're really looking forward to it."
Â
Taking over a program that had never been to the NCAA tournament before he got there, Tierney coached Princeton for 22 seasons, going 238-86, with eight NCAA finals, 10 NCAA Final Fours and 14 Ivy League championships in addition to the six NCAA titles. He was a 2002 inductee into the U.S. Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
He left Princeton after the 2009 season to take over at Denver, and he has only enhanced his legacy during his time with the Pioneers. He has made nine NCAA tournament appearances in nine seasons and has taken Denver - which had also never won an NCAA tournament game prior to his arrival - to five Final Fours and the 2015 NCAA championship, making him the only men's lacrosse coach to have won an NCAA title with two schools. His record at Denver is 122-36.
And now his two teams will be brought together.
"I knew this day would eventually arrive and am thankful for the opportunity to bring together the two places that have allowed me to live my passion while incorporating my family, coaching amazing student athletes and developing lifelong friendships along the way," Tierney said. "My current Denver players have never been to Princeton and the current Princeton players don't know me. Therefore, both groups will look forward to a great Division I lacrosse game between two outstanding programs. We thank Coach Madalon for agreeing to host the Pioneers and know what a challenge it will be."
Princeton's complete 2019 schedule will be released shortly.
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