9781422284261

Watch the video instantly on your mobile device by scanning the QR code next to each video player!

The following season, Duke University was looking for NCAA Championship number one. Better known for basketball, the Blue Devil lacrosse program had come to prominence in 2006 when three of its players were falsely accused of rape, and the school canceled its season. This overshadowed the work done by Duke coach Mike Pressler, who took over the job in 1991 and turned the program around. The Blue Devils made the NCAA tournament in 1992 and won its first tournament game in 1995, leading up to an appearance in the finals in 2005. During the scandal in 2006, the school forced Pressler to resign. His job went to John Danowski, who led the team back to the final in 2007. As in 2005, Duke lost, but Danowski persevered, and in 2010 made the final again, with the help of some fifth- year seniors whose eligibility was extended after they lost their freshman season in the 2006 scandal. This time, in a tense 6-5 overtime game, Duke won its first title over Notre Dame, the ultimate justice for those seniors. Danowski then led the Blue Devils to back-to-back titles in 2013 and 2014, cementing a new association for Duke lacrosse: national champions. DukeWins First NCAA Championship

13