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In Memoriam of Dick Edell
It is with great sorrow that Calvert Hall shares with you news regarding the passing on Wednesday, May 2, 2018, of former Calvert Hall faculty member and lacrosse coach, Dick Edell.
Edell coached and taught at Calvert Hall from 1971-1973. He led the program to two Maryland Scholastic Association (MSA) Championships during his tenure. He had an excellent rapport with his players, and was able to push them to their best on and off the field. He then went on to coach lacrosse and soccer at the University of Baltimore winning the 1975 NCAA Division II national championship. He went on to coach at West Point for seven season. Edell then took over the helm at the University of Maryland – College Park for the next 18 years. He won three ACC titles, appeared in the NCAA tournament 13 times, and appeared in the NCAA finals three times. He retired from coaching in 2001 due to the non-life-threatening health issue, inclusion body myositis.
Tom Murray ’71, a former player of Edell said, “We lost a great Coach and more importantly a loyal friend. Dick dealt with his myositis for years in such a selfless manner. Whenever you talked to Dick it was never about him, but always Dick asking about you and your family. I never heard him complain throughout his long battle. God bless Coach Edell and his family. He will be missed greatly.”
Casey Connor '96 added, "I will always be grateful for the opportunity Big Man gave me to play for him at the University of Maryland. He was the ultimate player’s coach - he demanded the best out of you, squeezed every last drop of effort from you, and gave you the biggest smile and hug afterwards. Coach Edell was beloved by so many and that was because of his truly genuine nature to get to know each and every person with which he interacted. You saw how much passion he had on and off the field, for lacrosse and people, and that is something that everyone who got to meet Big Man will carry on with them. God bless Dolores and the Edell family - LOVE YOU BIGGIE!”
In a letter addressed to Edell on July 31, 2017, Joe Carolozo '70 shared, "From my vantage point, a coach's life is one of total unselfishness. While the object is to win, and to win, and to win, there is a concerted effort to help mold his players to their full potential. In doing so, you are a surrogate father, a mentor, a recruiter, a strategist, and a disciplinarian all the while being a husband to your wife and father to your children. It's a calling from God, not a job, fueled by a passion deep in one's heart... I am so proud to have played for you, proud to know you and you will always be my hero."
Casey Connor '96 added, "I will always be grateful for the opportunity Big Man gave me to play for him at the University of Maryland. He was the ultimate player’s coach - he demanded the best out of you, squeezed every last drop of effort from you, and gave you the biggest smile and hug afterwards. Coach Edell was beloved by so many and that was because of his truly genuine nature to get to know each and every person with which he interacted. You saw how much passion he had on and off the field, for lacrosse and people, and that is something that everyone who got to meet Big Man will carry on with them. God bless Dolores and the Edell family - LOVE YOU BIGGIE!”
In a letter addressed to Edell on July 31, 2017, Joe Carolozo '70 shared, "From my vantage point, a coach's life is one of total unselfishness. While the object is to win, and to win, and to win, there is a concerted effort to help mold his players to their full potential. In doing so, you are a surrogate father, a mentor, a recruiter, a strategist, and a disciplinarian all the while being a husband to your wife and father to your children. It's a calling from God, not a job, fueled by a passion deep in one's heart... I am so proud to have played for you, proud to know you and you will always be my hero."
Edell was named the United State Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) National Coach of the Year twice and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Coach of the Year three times. He was inducted into the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2004. He was also inducted into the US Lacrosse Potomac Chapter Hall of Fame, the US Lacrosse Greater Baltimore Chapter Hall of Fame, the University of Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame, the University of Baltimore Athletic Hall of Fame, and the Towson University Hall of Fame.
Please continue to keep Dick Edell and his family in your prayers.
