Rye High School Boys Lacrosse Team Honored with Rye Recognition of Excellence Award
The Rye City School District celebrated the 2026 New York State championship Rye High School varsity boys lacrosse team during the Sept. 8 board of education meeting, recognizing the student-athletes with the Rye Recognition of Excellence Award for their historic achievement.
The Rye Recognition of Excellence Awards honor students who have achieved the highest levels in academics, the arts and athletics. The boys lacrosse team earned the distinction after winning the first New York State boys lacrosse championship in Rye High School history.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tricia Murray congratulated the student-athletes and reflected on the teamwork, resilience and leadership that contributed to their championship season. Throughout the year, the team embraced the motto, “It’s always about the WE and never about the ME,” putting their collective goals ahead of individual accomplishments.
“This team’s success was much more than what happened on the lacrosse field,” Murray said. “With a new coach at the helm, the players built trust in one another, put the needs of the team ahead of themselves, and committed to working together toward a common goal.”
Murray also recognized the leadership of the team’s senior class and the contributions of the coaches, families and Rye youth lacrosse program. She noted that the championship represented years of hard work and support from throughout the Rye community.
Assemblymember Steve Otis and City of Rye Councilmember Keith Cunningham also joined the recognition of the team during the meeting. The student-athletes received additional certificates recognizing their achievement from state Sen. Shelley B. Mayer and Westchester County Executive Kenneth W. Jenkins.
The championship and the values that helped the team achieve it reflect The Rye Commitment, including collaboration, resilience and working together toward shared goals.
“To our student-athletes: You have made Rye history,” Murray said. “You brought home the first New York State Boys Lacrosse Championship in Rye High School history, and you did it by demonstrating what can happen when a group of people believes in one another and puts the ‘WE’ before the ‘ME.’”
Congratulations to the 2026 New York State champion Rye Garnets on this historic accomplishment and their Rye Recognition of Excellence Award.