Denver’s Bill Tierney Named Lacrosse Magazine’s Person of the Year

BALTIMORE – Lacrosse Magazine, a publication of US Lacrosse, announced Tuesday that Bill Tierney, the University of Denver’s men’s lacrosse coach, is the magazine’s 2009 Person of the Year.

In June Tierney shocked the lacrosse world and announced that he would be leaving Princeton, his home for the past 22 years, to head to the University of Denver. Tierney, who took Princeton to eight NCAA finals and won six NCAA titles as the head coach of the Tigers, has turned down several job offers in the past, but the one in Denver he says “felt right.”

“Bill Tierney’s move to Denver was just what lacrosse needed as it continues to growth from coast to coast,” said Paul Krome, editor of Lacrosse Magazine. “The best part of us naming Tierney the Lacrosse Magazine Person of the Year is that he considers the distinction a call to action — that’s an encouraging perspective for lacrosse fans everywhere coming from a six-time NCAA champion and National Hall of Fame coach.”

“The lacrosse world, as you know, is taking huge steps out west,” said Tierney in a letter to Princeton alumni. “The chance for me to be a part of that growth, as an ambassador for the game, as well as for Denver, is very appealing. If we are truly going to make lacrosse a nationwide sport, we need for some programs out there to become great. I think I can help Colorado lacrosse become the launching pad for that movement.”

Click here to read the full article from Lacrosse Magazine