Carl Runk
File:Http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b9/Carl runk.jpg
Early Years/General Information:
Graduated from Arizona State University where he played on the football team. Runk then began coaching the Men's Lacrosse team at Arizona throughout the 1960's. After bringing the Arizona program to consistent success Runk came to Towson University (then Towson State) in 1968. Runk now lives with his wife in Parkton, MD.
Career:
Carl Runk is considered a legendary coach in the College lacrosse realm as he logged over 30 years at powerhouse division 1 program Towson University. In his time he compiled a overall record of 261-161. in 1974 Runk led his squad to the National Championship defeating Hobart 18-17, making them the College Division National Lacrosse Champions. Towson moved to Division 1 in 1980 where competition increased but they continued success as Runk's teams won 5 conference titles in the East Coast Conference. In 1989 they reached their first NCAA Division 1 Tournament bid. Throughout the 1990's Runk led his team to four Tournament bids along with a suprising run all the way to the Championship game in 1991. Throughout his time at Towson Runk coached a Player of the Year in every position, as well as 57 All Americans.
After leaving the high pressure position of a Division 1 Head Coach, Runk took over coaching the Men's Lacrosse team at Hereford High School in Baltimore County Maryland near where he lives. In his time at Hereford High School he continued his winning ways, at the school he won the Maryland State Championship in 2003 and 2008, as well as County and Division Championships in 2008, and Regional Tournament appearances in every year he coached at the school.
Runk Retired from formal coaching after the championship season with Hereford in 2008. However Runk still stays involved with the game as he helps developing programs in Naples Florida, as well as a annual Recruiting Camp named Top Star he hosts for prospective college lacrosse athletes at Gettysburg College in PA.
Along with his direct involvement coaching the game Runk published a book in 2008, Carl Runk’s Coaching Lacrosse: Strategies, Drills & Plays from an NCAA Tournament Winning Coach’s Playbook
Throughout his career at towson
Football:
As Runk played football for the University of Arizona, this knowledge and passion followed him even as he developed his legendary status in the world of lacrosse. He was apart of establishing Towson's Football program serving as the Head Coach in 1969-1971, a program which has developed into a strong tradition at the School.
Outside of Sports: Runk has throughout his career and still currently serves as a member of the Universities Faculty at Towson as a part of the Kinesiology department. He teaches various physical education course for the University.
Accolades, Awards, and Achievements:
-Inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in the class of 2000.
-Coach of the Year 1974
-South All-star Coach 1970, 1978, 1996
-Towson Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee
- Carl Runk Award(awarded by Football Coach to the top defensive football player at Towson University)
-Known for his relentless passion for the game, as well as his endless desire to teach.
References:
Towson University Athletics Page- http://www.towsontigers.com/
Baltimore Sports Source Article- http://www.pressboxonline.com/story.cfm?id=4413
US Lacrosse (National Governing Body for Lacrosse)- http://www.uslacrosse.org/
Hereford High School Athletics Page- http://herefordhs.bcps.org/athletics/championships.html
Towson University Media Guide
Personal References- Mike Runk (Great Nephew of Carl Runk), Trey Hilberg (Played for runk from 2005-2009)