By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/17/26
Garnet Valley coach Frank Urso, who built a powerhouse boys’ program in the Central League for 18 years, has announced he will retire at the end of the season.
Urso, who turned 72 on Wednesday, has 276 wins and a host of accomplishments: two Central League titles, two District 1 3A crowns, four more berths in the District 1 finals, three PIAA semifinal berths, and one PIAA 3A finals appearance (2022). His teams went to the PIAA tournament 11 times.
“First, I want to say that my time coaching has been nothing short of amazing,” said Urso, who informed his team of his decision 2 weeks ago. “My goal was to give back to a sport that has meant so much to my life.
“Helping young men develop their skills and pursue their dreams has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve had the privilege of watching so many young athletes fulfill their goals of playing college lacrosse.”
Urso was a legendary lacrosse player at the University of Maryland (1973–1976), where he was a four-time first-team All-American (only player in school history to do so), a two-time NCAA Champion (1973, 1975), and winner of the 1975 Lt. Raymond Enners Award as the nation’s most outstanding player.
I’ve seen players like Matt Moore (Virginia) and Max Busenkell (Notre Dame) go on to win National Championships. Winning titles has been a big part of my journey, and seeing them experience the same thrill has been awesome.
Urso’s Jaguars are 7-4 this year and 4-2 in the Central League.
“I’m blessed with an amazing wife who has always supported my passion for lacrosse, and I’ve had the unforgettable experience of coaching my two sons, Vail and Cory,” he said. “Lacrosse has truly shaped who I am, and the opportunity to give back through Garnet Valley is something I’ll always be grateful for. Coaching in the Central League has really made it rewarding with great coaches and great competition.”
He was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1991 and was honored as a Tewaaraton Legend in 2016 for his impact on the game.
