Montclair State head men's lacrosse coach John Greco, who led the Red Hawks to the greatest success in program history, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 4. Greco was 33 and leaves behind a wife, Karen.

Greco completed his eighth season this past spring as Montclair State fashioned the finest season in the 38-year history of the program. Montclair posted a 15-4 record, tying the school record for victories which also included 14 consecutive wins. The Red Hawks spent a majority of the season in the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association national poll reaching a high mark at No. 17. Montclair State captured its second consecutive Skyline Conference Championship downing Kean 12-8 to earn its second straight trip to the NCAA Division III Tournament where MSU hosted a opening-round contest for the first time. Greco was named the Skyline Conference Coach of the Year.

"I am shocked and saddened by the news of John Greco's passing," said athletic director Holly Gera. "John has been a member of the Montclair State athletic family since he arrived as a player in 1997. John will be very much missed by all those who knew him. We enjoyed his up beat attitude, his sense of humor, and his ever present smile. His contributions will never be forgotten."

In eight seasons, Greco posted a 96-43 mark, including a 43-10 ledger in conference play – 23-2 since joining the Skyline in 2007. He led MSU to its only two NCAA Tournament appearances and has played in five conference championship games winning the last two years (2009 and 2010). Greco was twice named the Knickerbocker Conference Coach of the Year prior to MSU's move to the Skyline Conference. In addition to his coaching honors, Greco also coached all four of Montclair State's All-Americans – Thomas Bowers in 2009 and 2010 honorees Taylor Bonner, Patrick Ferry and Robert Sinicola and had three players – Bryan Klimchak, Bowers and Bonner represent Montclair State in the USILA North/South Senior All-Star Game. Bonner was named a USILA Scholar All-American in 2010.

Greco took over the program in 2003, becoming the sixth coach in school history. In his first season he led his team to a 12-4 mark, the most victories MSU had posted since 1994. The Red Hawks went on to win the first of their three straight ECAC Division III Metro championships, topping the United States Merchant Marine Academy in overtime, 10-9. That 2003 season he was voted Coach of the Year in the Knickerbocker Conference.

"More than being an outstanding young coach and a strong advocate for the Skyline Conference, John was a genuinely good person who cared deeply about his student-athletes," said Skyline Conference Commissioner Tracy King. "He was well respected, well liked and will certainly be missed by many in the lacrosse community. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this very difficult time."

"When I think of Montclair State lacrosse, I think of John," said Kean head coach Shelley Sheiner. "He put his heart and soul into the program and he did it with dignity and class. We battled each other on the field and I have the greatest amount of respect for him. He will truly be missed by everyone."

Greco himself was a Red Hawk from 1997-2000. He was a solid defenseman and was part of an era that began to change the program's fortunes. The three-year starter was accompanied by teammates, now associate head coach and three year starting attackman Adam Torrisi. Greco credited much of the current success to his hard-working staff consisting of Torrisi, Kent Bania and Bryan Armstrong who were all high school standouts at Clifton High School in the mid to late 90's along with Greco.

"This is a tragic loss for the MSU family and for everyone involved in intercollegiate athletics in New Jersey," said NJAC Commissioner Terry Small. "Although men's lacrosse is not a conference sport in the NJAC, I had the opportunity to get to know John during my years at Stevens Institute of Technology. John was a true gentleman and a person who always represented MSU in an extremely positive manner. I know I speak for all of the members of the NJAC when I say that our hearts are saddened and our thoughts and prayers go out to John's family."