Brad Kotz, Oren Lyons to Receive Tewaaraton Foundation Awards

WASHINGTON – The Tewaaraton Foundation named Syracuse University lacrosse greats Brad Kotz and Oren Lyons the 2015 recipients of two of its most prestigious awards on Monday, Jan. 25.

Kotz (1982-85) will be honored with the fifth annual Tewaaraton Legends Award, and Lyons (1956-58) will receive the 2015 Spirit of Tewaaraton Award at this year's Tewaaraton Awards Ceremony on May 28 at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.

Presented to a player whose performance would have merited a Tewaaraton Award had it existed at the time, Kotz is the second Syracuse player to be honored with the Legends Award, joining 2011 inaugural recipient Jim Brown. Other previous winners include: Cornell's Eamon McEneaney (2012), Johns Hopkins' Joe Cowan (2013) and Navy's Jimmy Lewis (2014).

"Brad epitomized excellence in an era of dominant lacrosse for Syracuse University. He continues to represent the game, his teammates and the university with great honor and respect," said Jeff Harvey, Chairman of The Tewaaraton Foundation.

A 2001 National Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee, Kotz was a four-time All-American at Syracuse, earning first-team honors as a midfielder from 1983-85. He made history as a sophomore in 1983, scoring a team-high 42 goals to lead Syracuse to a 14-1 record and its first NCAA championship. Kotz scored five goals in the second half of the national title game to help the Orange erase a 12-5 deficit and beat Johns Hopkins, 17-16. For his efforts, Kotz was named tournament MVP and received the USILA's Raymond J. Enners Award as the national player of the year.

After his collegiate career, Kotz played for the U.S Senior National Team in 1986 and 1990. He also led the Philadelphia Wings to National Lacrosse League (NLL) championships in 1989 and 1990, and was the NLL's top scorer in 1989.

A native of Camillus, N.Y. and a high school All-American at West Genesee, Kotz was inducted into the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.

"Brad was one of the first modern-era stars we had at Syracuse," said legendary Orange head coach Roy Simmons Jr. "He was strong, fast, had great stick skills, and he was one of the most coachable and brightest players I've ever encountered. I'm so pleased The Tewaaraton Foundation has decided to present him with this award. Syracuse lacrosse isn't what it is today without Brad Kotz."

The Spirit of Tewaaraton Award is presented to an individual who has contributed to the sport of lacrosse in a way that reflects the spirit of the values and mission of The Tewaaraton Award. Lyons joins a list of previous recipients that includes Simmons (his former Syracuse teammate), Dick Edell, Diane Geppi-Aikens, Sid Jamieson, A.B. "Buzzy" Krongard, Richie Moran, Bob Scott, and Brendan Looney.

"Chief Lyons is a living legend whose leadership extends beyond the lacrosse field and exemplifies the Spirit of Tewaaraton. He has made enormous contributions to the game of lacrosse and the Haudenosaunee. As a cultural ambassador and indigenous leader, Chief Lyons' insights have gained attention throughout the globe. His commitment to making the world a better place is inspirational and he has set the standard for future generations through his diverse accomplishments," Harvey said.

A lifelong lacrosse player, Lyons was an All-American goalie for the Orange and helped lead SU to an undefeated season in 1957. He was elected to the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1992 and serves as honorary chairman of the Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse Team.

In 1982, Lyons helped establish the Working Group on Indigenous Populations at the United Nations and he is a recipient of the United Nations NGO World Peace Prize. In 1989, Lyons was presented with the USILA Howdy Myers Man of the Year Award. He was named a Syracuse University Letterwinner of Distinction the following year.

Lyons serves on the Executive Committee of the Global Forum of Spiritual and Parliamentary Leaders on Human Survival, is a frequent participant in human rights issues in Geneva, and has received Sweden's prestigious Friends of the Children Award, along with his colleague, Nelson Mandela. In addition, Lyons is the Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan of the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy and a leading advocate of American Indian causes.

"Oren embodies everything I believe this award is about," Simmons said. "He was a terrific lacrosse player. But more than that, he's a teacher, a mentor, and an ambassador, not just of the game of lacrosse, but of Native American culture. What he's done to raise awareness of indigenous causes and other human rights issues has had an immeasurable impact on our society."

For more information on the Tewaaraton Legends Award, the Spirit of Tewaaraton Award, or to attend this year's event, visit tewaaraton.com.

About The Tewaaraton Foundation
First presented in 2001, the Tewaaraton Award is recognized as the preeminent lacrosse award, annually honoring the top male and female college lacrosse player in the United States. Endorsed by the Mohawk Nation Council of Elders and U.S. Lacrosse, the Tewaaraton Award symbolizes lacrosse's centuries-old roots in Native American heritage. The Tewaaraton Foundation ensures the integrity and advances the mission of this award. Each year, the Tewaaraton Award celebrates one of the six tribal nations of the Iroquois Confederacy – the Mohawk, Cayuga, Oneida, Onondaga, Seneca and Tuscarora – and presents two scholarships to students of Native American descent.

Syracuse University Athletics

Brad Kotz, Oren Lyons to Receive Tewaaraton Foundation Awards

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