Roanoke College lacrosse great John Pirro has been named to the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame. On Wednesday afternoon, USA Lacrosse announced the Hall of Fame Class of 2021 and Roanoke College's John Pirro was named as one of the eight selections.
Arguably the most talented player in the history of Roanoke College men's lacrosse, Pirro was the first athlete in program history to be named a First Team All-American three times. In both his junior and senior seasons, he was selected as the nation's Most Outstanding NCAA Division II/III Defenseman. Pirro played in the 1977 North/South All-Star Game along with the 1976 Superstars Game and was twice named an All-South Atlantic Region All-Star.
"John played in an era where the lines, between the College Division and Division I, were much more blurred. He was certainly among the nation's best, at any level." Paul Griffin, Roanoke Lacrosse Coach from 1972-81.
In the initial year after his brilliant playing career, John played for the Long Island Lacrosse Club, earning first-team All-USLCA honors. He then returned to Roanoke's campus to serve as the Assistant Men's Lacrosse Coach and held that role until assuming the reigns as head coach in 1982. In just his second season, Pirro led the Maroons to the national championship game. In his five years as head coach, Pirro collected 48 wins and won five Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) championships.
Pirro was the first player in Roanoke lacrosse history to have his jersey retired and was inducted into the College's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1987. In addition, Pirro is a member of two different chapters of the USA Lacrosse Hall of Fame. In 1995 he was elected to the Long Island Metro Chapter and two years later, 1997, was inducted into the Charlottesville Chapter.
John becomes the second Roanoke College Men's Lacrosse player to earn induction to the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame. He joins teammate and former USA World Team Captain Bill Beroza '77, who earned his spot in the Hall in 1996.
Beroza on Pirro's selection: "This is a great day for the Roanoke Lacrosse Family. We're all so proud to have been associated with John. We're grateful that the Hall has recognized his long list of accomplishments and devotion to the game of lacrosse."
Pirro was diagnosed with Huntington's Disease in 2001, and died due to complications from the disease in 2013.
The National Lacrosse Hall of Fame will hold the induction ceremony in the fall of 2021 when John will be enshrined along with the other members of his class: Sheehan Stanwick Burch, Patty Daley, Jenny Levy, Ryan McClay, Tony Resch, Kris Snider, and Beth Stone.
