BALTIMORE - US Lacrosse has selected former Roanoke College men's lacrosse standout and coach, John Pirro (Huntington, N.Y, Huntington HS), as one of 24 finalists on the 2011 National Lacrosse Hall of Fame men's ballot. From this ballot, the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame voting committee will select the 2011 induction class. US Lacrosse will announce the inductees prior to Memorial Day weekend.

Pirro was a four-year starter on defense for Roanoke from 1974-77, capping his stellar career with three First-Team NCAA Division II/DIII All-America selections (1975, 1976, 1977). He was twice named NCAA Division II/DIII Defenseman of Year (1976, 1977) and participated in the annual North/South All-Star Game following the 1977 season.

Following his playing days, Pirro was an assistant coach to Paul Griffin and helped lead the 1978 team to the Div. II/III National Championship. He took over as head coach in 1982 and started a string of five-straight undefeated seasons in the ODAC and captured five-consecutive conference championships. He also led the Maroons to four NCAA Tournament appearances, including a national runner-up finish in 1983.

Pirro was inducted into US Lacrosse Long Island Metro Chapter Lacrosse Hall of Fame (1995), US Lacrosse Charlottesville Chapter Lacrosse Hall of Fame (1997) and the first lacrosse player to be inducted into Roanoke College Hall of Fame (1987) and to have his number retired.

The National Lacrosse Hall of Fame has annually inducted individuals based on outstanding lacrosse achievements and/or contributions since 1957. The mission of the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame is to honor men and women, past and present, who by their deeds as players, coaches, officials and/or contributors, and by the example of their lives, personify the great contribution of the sport of lacrosse to our way of life. The National Lacrosse Hall of Fame is housed in the Lacrosse Museum at the US Lacrosse national headquarters in Baltimore, Md.

For more information about the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame criteria and selection process, and to view a full listing of achievements for all Hall of Fame finalists, please visit www.uslacrosse.org/TopNav/MuseumHallofFame/NationalLacrosseHallofFame.aspx.