Tampa Bay Fire Lacrosse

Ryan Burns, a three-year player with the Tampa Bay Fire, recently committed to Ithaca College, one of the top programs in DIII lacrosse. Ithaca, which competes in the Empire 8 Conference, one of the toughest conferences in collegiate lacrosse, is a perenially nationally-ranked team and in the hunt virtually every season for a NCAA playoff berth.

Ryan, who as a lefty midfielder on the Fire's Gold team has the ability to run at attack as well, drew national attention as a multi-talented, hard-shooting sniper who could score with either hand.  Ryan came to the attention of Jeff Long, Head Coach at Ithaca College following his performance at the national recruiting tournaments attended by the Fire. 

The Ithaca College Bombers are led by Jeff Long, the Irondequoit. NY native who was recently enshrined into the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame.  The former U.S. Naval Academy All-American completed his 22nd season as head men’s lacrosse coach at Ithaca in 2009. As Ithaca’s winningest  lacrosse coach he has compiled an overall record of 196-103.  Jeff was voted the Empire 8 Coach of the Year in 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2008.

As a player, Coach Long was a three-time all-American at Navy. He is Navy’s career scoring leader and played on four NCAA playoff teams. Long graduated in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He also played on the U.S. national lacrosse teams in 1978 and 1986.  Jeff is considered one of the best lacrosse players of all-time.