Syracuse, NY – Lacrosse is set to reach one of the biggest stages in the sport as it was recently named one of five sports added for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Gary Gait, one of the most recognizable names in the history of the sport and head coach of the Syracuse men’s lacrosse team, is happy to see him.
“I was very passionate about lacrosse,” Gait said. “I have a lot of friends behind the scenes working to make this happen. One of my teammates and childhood friends, Joe Tsai, is on the World Lacrosse Board of Directors and worked on the mission to bring lacrosse to the Los Angeles Olympics. I’m so happy for him that everything He succeeded.
Tsai, a Taiwanese-Canadian billionaire businessman, lawyer and philanthropist, is also a former Yale University lacrosse player and a major advocate for the sport. He owns the San Diego Seals of the NLL and helped launch the Premiere Lacrosse League. Tsai also owns the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets.
Gait could be on the short list of candidates to coach Team Canada at the 2028 Olympics. He has been the head coach of the Canadian Under-20 team twice and will coach them again at the 2025 World Championships.
Gait also has extensive playing experience at the international level having represented Canada in the IFL World Series in 1990, 94, 98 and 2006. He also earned a spot on the All-World Team in 1990, ’94 and ’98.
Among the tremendous accomplishments of his Hall of Fame career, Gait scored four goals in the final quarter of the tournament 2006 World Series title game against the United States, giving Canada its first world championship. It also capped a historic playing career for Gait with every possible major lacrosse title.
When asked Tuesday if Gait had ambitions to coach at the Olympics, he remained focused on what lies ahead immediately.
“The next thing I will do is coach the team Canadian Youth 20 Men’s TeamGait said. “This will be my third time coaching this team. Who knows what the next team will be in the future, but my main focus right now is Syracuse and taking care of business here.”
Contact Brent Ax: Email | X | 315-552-1964
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