Wings’ former standout and current assistant coach Tucker to be inducted into NLL Hall of Fame

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 2/23/10
From Press Releases

Philadelphia Wings Offensive Coordinator and legendary former captain John Tucker has been named as a member of this year’s National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame class, according to the NLL office.

Tucker is the ninth current or former member of the Wings organization to be elected to the Hall of Fame, which currently includes 13 members since its inception in 2006.

Tucker was one of six finalists chosen by the NLL’s Hall of Fame committee .The top three vote getters among the finalists were then named as the 2010 NLL Hall of Fame class.

Tucker will be joined by former Buffalo Bandit Rich Kilgore and Dan Stroup who played for six teams, most notably the Toronto Rock where he won three championships.  Date and location of this season’s induction is yet to be determined.

“I can’t begin to explain how thrilled and humbled I am by my selection to the NLL Hall of Fame,” said Tucker. “There are so many people that I need to thank: Dave Huntley, Mike French, Russ Cline, Chris Fritz and all the players I have had the pleasure to play with over the years.

“I would also like to give a special thanks to Dave Evans, who was one of my coaches for the Wings and provided a special understanding of the game for me.  I am very grateful for his involvement with our franchise.”

Tucker was an original player in the NLL, with his career spanning from 1987-1994.  He played six seasons in Philadelphia with the Wings and two in Baltimore.

As a member of the Wings he played in 47 regular season games and collected 174 points (78G 96A). Tucker led Philadelphia to two championships (1989, 1990) and was named the Championship Game MVP in 1989.

He also won the league scoring title in 1987 and was a three time All-Pro (1990-1992).  Tucker would go on to become the head coach of Baltimore and Pittsburgh (1997-2000) before making his return to the bench this season as the Wings’ Offensive Coordinator.

Tucker also has served as head coach of the Major league Lacrosse Washington Bayhawks and Los Angeles Riptide (2006-8) as well as several high school teams in Maryland. He is currently an assistant at his alma mater, Johns Hopkins University.

He has received the MLL Coach of the Year Award (2007), coached in one NLL Championship Game (1998), and has captured eight Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association Championships.