University of Massachusets Athletics
Alumni Spotlight: Frank Garahan '75
April 09, 2020 | Men's Lacrosse
Checking in with long-time men's and women's lacrosse program supporter Frank Garahan
The University of Massachusetts men's lacrosse program begins an alumni-centric series featuring many of the program's all-time greats, in which they update friends, fans and fellow alums. Participating alumni discuss what it means to be a part of the program, how UMass impacted their growth and success and share messages of support with the current team.
The first entry: Frank Garahan '75, who also shares a special bond with the UMass women's lacrosse program as its founding head coach.
Coach Garber was in his prime, mid-career and the program was pivoting to be a national contender. In a few short years the program evolved from wooden sticks in the undefeated '69 season to NCAA playoffs at Johns Hopkins in '76. As everyone who played for Coach Garber will tell you, it was an honor to play for him and be part of the tradition that has been unwavering for 65 years. He is an unforgettable role model. I attended UMass on a "Blue Wall Scholarship" along with many other players in the 70's.
In the Spring of 1976 after graduation, I was still on campus when the University sanctioned women's lacrosse as a varsity sport. I was offered the opportunity to be the first coach of the first team of exceptional athletes. I gladly accepted and we had an unbelievable three-year run culminating in a semifinal finish in the first-ever Women's Lacrosse National Championship in 1978, the precursor to the UMass women lacrosse team winning the first-ever NCAA National Championship in 1982.
These two life experiences were defining for me. Playing and coaching team sports provided the skills, competencies and confidence to manage and lead large groups of people. Two significant events happened in 1978; UMass hired a sensational women's lacrosse and field hockey coach and I joined a small hotel company with 25 hotels at the time: Marriott. Fast forward, all the skills and abilities that I acquired at UMass became my biggest asset in a wonderful 30-year career culminating in exciting assignments in ten hotels, as GM of two world class destination resorts and regional vice president roles with dozens of hotels.
It gets better. Ten years ago, I was able to retire early and after being away from campus for 17 years, I re-connected with UMass lacrosse in person. I knew Coach Greg Cannella for 15 years without ever having met him in person. In 2009, I met Coach Cannella and a year later connected with the new women's lacrosse coach, Angela McMahon, for the first time. I have had the good fortune over 10 years to engage both teams, players, coaches, alums and parents on so many occasions at practices, games and events. Becoming engaged as an active alum has been extremely rewarding. My most recent highlight was the Fall semester of 2019; coaching the women's alumnae team and suiting up to actually play on Garber with the men's alumni team.
To the 2020 UMass lacrosse teams: Know that every alum understands and feels the pain you are enduring due to this truncated season. After watching you both last fall and early season, you should all be so proud of the women's team's spectacular win vs. BC and the guy's epic win vs. Yale. You both added to a historic legacy on our favorite place to play, Garber Field. Congratulations, we are all so proud of you!!! You will be as great in life as you were on Garber.
The first entry: Frank Garahan '75, who also shares a special bond with the UMass women's lacrosse program as its founding head coach.
Coach Garber was in his prime, mid-career and the program was pivoting to be a national contender. In a few short years the program evolved from wooden sticks in the undefeated '69 season to NCAA playoffs at Johns Hopkins in '76. As everyone who played for Coach Garber will tell you, it was an honor to play for him and be part of the tradition that has been unwavering for 65 years. He is an unforgettable role model. I attended UMass on a "Blue Wall Scholarship" along with many other players in the 70's.
In the Spring of 1976 after graduation, I was still on campus when the University sanctioned women's lacrosse as a varsity sport. I was offered the opportunity to be the first coach of the first team of exceptional athletes. I gladly accepted and we had an unbelievable three-year run culminating in a semifinal finish in the first-ever Women's Lacrosse National Championship in 1978, the precursor to the UMass women lacrosse team winning the first-ever NCAA National Championship in 1982.
These two life experiences were defining for me. Playing and coaching team sports provided the skills, competencies and confidence to manage and lead large groups of people. Two significant events happened in 1978; UMass hired a sensational women's lacrosse and field hockey coach and I joined a small hotel company with 25 hotels at the time: Marriott. Fast forward, all the skills and abilities that I acquired at UMass became my biggest asset in a wonderful 30-year career culminating in exciting assignments in ten hotels, as GM of two world class destination resorts and regional vice president roles with dozens of hotels.
It gets better. Ten years ago, I was able to retire early and after being away from campus for 17 years, I re-connected with UMass lacrosse in person. I knew Coach Greg Cannella for 15 years without ever having met him in person. In 2009, I met Coach Cannella and a year later connected with the new women's lacrosse coach, Angela McMahon, for the first time. I have had the good fortune over 10 years to engage both teams, players, coaches, alums and parents on so many occasions at practices, games and events. Becoming engaged as an active alum has been extremely rewarding. My most recent highlight was the Fall semester of 2019; coaching the women's alumnae team and suiting up to actually play on Garber with the men's alumni team.
To the 2020 UMass lacrosse teams: Know that every alum understands and feels the pain you are enduring due to this truncated season. After watching you both last fall and early season, you should all be so proud of the women's team's spectacular win vs. BC and the guy's epic win vs. Yale. You both added to a historic legacy on our favorite place to play, Garber Field. Congratulations, we are all so proud of you!!! You will be as great in life as you were on Garber.
- Frank Garahan '75
Men's lacrosse alumni interested in participating can reach out to communications director Cody Lahl at clahl@umass.edu. Follow Massachusetts men's lacrosse on Twitter (@UMassMLacrosse), Instagram (@UMassMLAX) and Facebook (/UMassMensLacrosse).
Men's lacrosse alumni interested in participating can reach out to communications director Cody Lahl at clahl@umass.edu. Follow Massachusetts men's lacrosse on Twitter (@UMassMLacrosse), Instagram (@UMassMLAX) and Facebook (/UMassMensLacrosse).
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