Wings Assistant Coach John Tucker To Be Inducted Into NLL Hall Of Fame

Published on February 22, 2010 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Philadelphia Wings News Release


Philadelphia Wings Offensive Coordinator and legendary former captain John Tucker, has been named as a member of this year's National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame class, according to the NLL office. He is the ninth current or former member of the Wings organization to be elected to the Hall of Fame, which currently includes 13 members since its inception in 2006.

Tucker and the Wings shuffle off to Buffalo to face the Bandits on Saturday, February 27 at 8 p.m. The Wings will return to the Wachovia Center to face the Minnesota Swarm on Saturday, March 13 at 7 p.m.

Tucker was one of six finalists chosen by the NLL's Hall of Fame committee who were then voted on by each of the league's 11 teams, as well as all current League Hall of Famers and select members of the League's media. The top three vote getters among the finalists were then named as the 2010 NLL Hall of Fame class. Tucker will be joined by former Buffalo Bandit Rich Kilgore and Dan Stroup who played for six teams, most notably the Toronto Rock where he won three championships. Date and location of this season's induction is yet to be determined.

"I can't begin to explain how thrilled and humbled I am by my selection to the NLL Hall of Fame," said Tucker. "There are so many people that I need to thank. Dave Huntley, Mike French, Russ Cline, Chris Fritz and all the players I have had the pleasure to play with over the years. I would also like to give a special thanks to Dave Evans who was one of my coaches for the Wings and provided a special understanding of the game for me. I am very grateful for his involvement with our franchise."

Tucker was an original player in the NLL, with his careering spanning from 1987-1994. He played six seasons in Philadelphia with the Wings and two in Baltimore. As a member of the Wings he played in 47 regular season games and accrued 174 points (78G 96A). Tucker led Philadelphia to two championships (1989, 1990) and was named the Championship Game MVP in 1989. He also won the league scoring title in 1987 and was a three time All-Pro (1990-1992). Tucker would go on to become the Head Coach of Baltimore and Pittsburgh (1997-2000) before making his return to the bench this season as the Wings' Offensive Coordinator.

A renowned coach and player, Tucker has served as head coach of the Los Angeles Riptide (2006-08, MLL), Washington Bayhawks (current, MLL)Baltimore Thunder (1997-99, NLL), Pittsburgh CrosseFire (2000, NLL), Various Maryland High School teams, and currently is an assistant coach at his alma mater Johns Hopkins University. He has received Major League Lacrosse's Coach of the Year Award (2007), coached in one NLL Championship Game (1998), and has captured eight Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association Championships.

For only $15 a game you can secure a great lower level Season Ticket for the four remaining Saturday night games of Wings lacrosse. The Wings 2010 individual game tickets are also on-sale now. Call 215-389-WING (9464) or visit WingsLAX.com for more information.



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