Hobart–Syracuse lacrosse rivalry
[1] The Statesmen and Orange have combined for 32 national championships, with the two maintaining annual nature of the rivalry, even after the NCAA split into separate divisions.In 2008, the annual rivalry was jeopardized when Hobart's board of trustees voted to reclassify its lacrosse program back to the Division III level.At the Division III level, new head coach Dave Urick led the Statesmen to their first of 12 consecutive national championships, beginning with the 1980 season.The Kraus-Simmons trophy was introduced in 1986, named for two Hall of Fame coaches, Roy Simmons Sr. for Syracuse and Babe Kraus for Hobart.[13] Hobart completed its best season record-wise since the undefeated 1977 campaign, finishing at 15–1 and winning a seventh consecutive Division III title.Syracuse edged past a ranked Hobart yet again in the 91st meeting but the following year, the Statesmen would snap the streak on the road, pulling out a 9–8 victory, their first since 1986.[17] Two years later, in 2008, the annual series was almost cancelled by a decision from Hobart's board of trustees, which voted to reclassify back to Division III.