'Father of Towson Lacrosse' Carl Runk Passes Away

TOWSON, Md. - Carl Runk, Towson University’s legendary lacrosse coach who directed the Tigers’ program from an infancy to a place among the sport’s college elite over a 31-year career, passed away the morning of November 24 with family at his side. Coach was 88-years-old.

“Coach Runk is the father of Towson Lacrosse,” said Shawn Nadelen, the Tigers’ seventh head lacrosse coach, now in his 14th year. “His towering presence was palpable, but it was his immense love for his players and Towson University that is his eternal legacy. He was so imperative to the development of Towson Lacrosse, Towson Athletics and Towson University for more than 30 years and his impact is evident even today. Coach Runk will forever live in the Towson Lacrosse Family, as it will always embody his spirit, passion and love!”

Carl took over Towson’s men’s lacrosse program in 1968 in its 10th year. Over the ensuing three plus decades his teams would amass a 262-161 record as he guided Towson through its transition from NCAA Division II into the Division I ranks where the Tigers became a group to be reckoned with. He directed Towson to seven consecutive College Division Tournament appearances from 1973-79. In 1974 his Tigers won the first-ever contested NCAA Division II National Championship, beating Hobart 18-17 in overtime for the title. That earned Carl a USILA National Coach of the Year award, the first Towson coach to earn such a national honor. It also remains as Towson’s only national championship in men’s sports.

“I was blessed to play for, coach with and share a lifelong friendship with Coach Carl Runk,” said Joe Ardolino, a Tiger co-captain in the early 70’s and later an assistant under Carl. “His life story beyond his legendary achievements in coaching and lacrosse gave meaning to what an amazing man he was and how impactful his life was on so many others. He was loved and will be greatly missed.”

In 1980 Towson moved up to Division I, facing a steady diet of top teams. By 1991 Carl had the Tigers back in a national championship game, this time facing unbeaten North Carolina. The Tar Heels prevailed 18-13 but the appearance gave Carl another distinction as he remains the only coach in college lacrosse history to take the same school to both the College Division and Division I national championship games.

During that early Division I era, Towson captured five East Coast Conference titles and earned five Division I tournament berths. The Tigers were ranked among the USILA’s Top 20 teams 12 times. Towson had 48 All-Americans, five national players of the year and six U.S. national team selections during Carl’s 31 years at the helm that included 24 winning seasons.

A three-time Towson University Coach of the Year, Carl was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2007. In 2018 he was installed in the Intercollegiate Men’s Lacrosse Coaches’ Association Hall of Fame. The following year the University of Arizona voted Carl into its Men’s Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Most recently he was honored by the Maryland State Athletic Hall of Fame as its 2022 John F. Steadman Lifetime Achievement recipient.

Carl wrapped up his college coaching career in 1998 but retirement didn’t last long. The Parkton resident answered a plea asking him to coach boys lacrosse at nearby Hereford High School. Under his tutelage the Bulls’ program surged, capturing two state championships (2003 and 2008) in eight years.

A native of East Baltimore, Carl lettered in football, wrestling and lacrosse at Patterson Park High School. He initially attended the University of Maryland on a football scholarship but left after a year and a half, eventually winding up out West at the University of Arizona, playing football for the Wildcats. He and his wife, Joan, stayed on after graduation as Carl began his legacy as a lifetime lacrosse coach.

According to a Wildcats’ narrative: “While on a walk around campus one day with his wife, Carl saw a group of men tossing a lacrosse ball. After expressing an interest and knowledge of the game, the men told him they were trying to start a team but needed a coach. Runk was offered the job and accepted the opportunity and the challenge.”

Carl coached the team in its first season (1962). After time off to complete his Master’s degree and teach at Amphitheater High School he returned in 1965 to a program that became the first Western university to recognize lacrosse as an intercollegiate sport. Before leaving Arizona, his Wildcats would compile a 32-13 record and notch a conference championship.

The Runks’ return to Maryland was more out of necessity as they searched for opportunities for a son who contracted bacterial meningitis resulting in a hearing loss To best facilitate his educational needs, they came back to Baltimore where Carl found employment at Towson State College as head lacrosse coach. After his second year with the Tigers, Towson implemented football. Just prior to the start of its inaugural season in 1969, the coach abruptly quit. Carl assumed command of both sports. After three years he stepped down from football, handing those reins over to an assistant, Phil Albert who would coach the Tigers to a 117-91-3 record over the next 20 years.

In addition to his coaching history Carl made his mark as an educator, especially in Deaf Studies. In 1978, he attended Gallaudet University on a half-year sabbatical, taking classes in sign language, audiology and the sociology of deafness. The following year Basic Sign Language was offered at the University, a popular class among students that Carl would continue to teach at least once per semester for 20 years.

As an author, Carl published two books. Carl Runk’s Coaching Lacrosse (2008) is touted as the most complete instructional handbook covering the sport’s fundamentals plus offering strategies, drills and plays. A gifted story teller and much sought-after speaker, his second book, Along the Way (2013) is a collection of Carl’s humorous and funny experiences in addition to amusing anecdotes from other popular coaches.

Carl was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Joan. He is survived by sons Carl (Marilyn), Keith (Merribeth) and Curt (Jean) and daughter Brenda Parker (Tom). Carl was also predeceased by sisters Carol, Cassie, Francis and Robin, and brothers Joseph, Jimmy and Raymond. He is also survived by sisters Joan and Donna and brothers Alfred, Davis and Ted, 11 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Per Carl’s request the family will hold a private service, however, a celebration of life is planned for a future date. 

— by Peter Schlehr, Towson SID Emeritus