Resch Inducted to NLL HOF

Resch to be inducted into NLL Hall of Fame

By KERITH GABRIEL, Philadelphia Daily News; gabrielk@phillynews.com, 2/27/08: In the world of lacrosse, everything Philadelphia native Tony Resch has touched has turned to gold.

His Midas-like grip on the Wings organization, both as a player and a coach (1988-2001), included six National Lacrosse League championships and the indoor league's inaugural coach of the year award in 2001.

After accepting the coaching responsibilities of the upstart Philadelphia Barrage in 2005, an outdoor version of the sport, it took just 1 year before the team captured back-to-back Major League Lacrosse titles.

And so it is a fitting gesture by the NLL to grant "King Tony" induction into the Hall of Fame, along with legendary players Sal Locasio, Johnny Mouradian, and Canadian lacrosse journalist Neil Stevens, at the Union League tonight at 7. Almost like a throne not far from home.

"The first thing I thought was, man, this sort of makes me old," said Resch with a chuckle. "But when you commit as much time and effort as I did over the years, it's so nice to see all that hard work get recognized."

Astounding for a guy who never even knew the schematics of the indoor "box" game until he played for the Wings in 1988. Before his NLL debut, Resch was a stud in the outdoor game at Yale, finishing his college career as a two-time All-America and a three-time All-Ivy League selection. Nevertheless, after 12 goals, 10 assists and two NLL championships, Resch became the teacher in the indoor game - known for its unique fundamentals.

"I had no idea until I came into my first game as to what exactly I needed to be doing," said Resch. "It was an interesting transition [from outdoor to box style] but I learned a lot from the coaching [of then Wings coach Dave Evans] and the crew of talent that was around me. I was very fortunate to play with those guys."

With Resch's skills and dedication, in addition to playing alongside the legendary lacrosse duo of Gary and Paul Gait, it wasn't long before the Wings were a perennial league powerhouse in his six seasons as a player. His traits transcended right into a 7-year coaching stint (1994-2001) that provided a pair of championships in his first two seasons (1994, '95), and two more in his final four seasons ('98, 2001). He ended with a 59-27 career regular-season record, ranking him fourth all-time in the NLL.

Just to cap all that off, Resch rolled out with a gold medal as a member of the U.S. national team in the 1990 World Lacrosse Championship in Perth, Australia.

Gold. Go figure.

Today, as athletic director and assistant lacrosse coach at La Salle High in Wyndmoor, Resch's impact, along with the tutelage of Explorers coach and former Wings forward Bill Leahy, guided the Explorers to a state championship in 2004. In addition, Resch and the Barrage will be out to pursue their third straight MLL title this summer.

"One of my kids saw me coaching the Barrage team on TV and there I was yelling and screaming and he said to me, 'You yell at those guys the same way you yell at us,' " said Resch. "I took it as a compliment, considering he saw that I have the same direction and coaching style regardless of the level [of competition]."

Tomorrow night, when the undefeated Wings host the New York Titans at the Wachovia Center, Resch and the others will be honored at halftime in front of fans and supporters.

"It's sort of a perfect situation for me and I couldn't feel luckier," Resch said. "For the league to decide to hold [the ceremony and game] here, it's even more special [to be inducted] with my family and friends there in attendance."