After 17 remarkable seasons at the helm of SUNY Cortland’s men’s lacrosse program, Steve Beville retired in 2023, capping a career that leaves an indelible mark on collegiate lacrosse. The Steve Beville legacy is one of enduring excellence, commitment to student-athletes, and an unwavering pursuit of greatness across NCAA Division III and beyond.

Building a National Power at Cortland

Under Beville’s leadership, the Red Dragons emerged as a perennial national contender. From 2007 through 2023, Cortland reached the NCAA Division III championship game four times, winning it all in 2009. The program advanced to the national semifinals in 2010 and 2013, and the quarterfinals in 2011, 2014, 2015, and 2017.

Beville’s 17-season record at Cortland — 255-65 (.797) — cements him as the school’s all-time wins leader. His teams consistently performed at the highest levels, producing undefeated regular seasons in 2012 and 2013 and setting program win records in both 2009 (19 wins) and 2012 (21 wins).

In recognition of his leadership, Beville was named the 2009 USILA Division III National Coach of the Year after guiding Cortland to a national title with a 9-7 win over Gettysburg.

Dominance in SUNYAC and National Recognition

Beville’s Cortland squads claimed 13 SUNYAC championships out of a possible 16 during his tenure and earned 15 NCAA tournament appearances, a testament to the program’s consistency and dominance. He was a nine-time SUNYAC Coach of the Year, including back-to-back Coaching Staff of the Year honors in 2021 and 2022.

His ability to develop elite-level players is evident in the 84 All-America honors earned during his time at Cortland. Standout athletes include:

• Chris DeLuca, 2010 National Player of the Year and 2011 Midfielder of the Year
• Tom Burke, 2010 Specialty Player of the Year
• Ryan Heath, 2008 Attackman of the Year and MLL draftee
• Josh Cittadino, 2008 Specialty Player of the Year

A Coaching Career Beyond Cortland

Beville arrived at Cortland with 18 years of head coaching experience, including eight seasons at Division I Vermont and ten at Colorado College. His career record — 403-176 — ranks him fourth all-time among Division III coaches and sixth across all NCAA divisions in career victories through 2023.

At Colorado College, he amassed a 100-49 record and led teams to seven Top-25 finishes, three wins over Division I Air Force, and a perfect graduation rate. He was also the first to coach All-Americans in the school’s history.

International and National-Level Coaching Influence

In 2014, Beville was named head coach of the Iroquois Nationals for the FIL World Championships in Denver. Under his leadership, the team secured its first-ever international medal, earning bronze. He also served as an assistant for the U19 Iroquois Nationals in 2012, who upset Team USA for their first win over an American team.

Beville’s national service includes committee roles on the NCAA playoff advisory group, Division I and III All-America selection committees, the Division III national championship advisory board, and the U.S. National Team selection committee. In 2021, he was named to the IMLCA Board of Directors.

From Player to Hall of Fame Coach

A Syracuse native and West Genesee High School graduate, Beville was a standout defenseman at Washington College, playing in three national championship games and earning two Division III National Defenseman of the Year awards. He later served as an assistant coach at Washington, helping the team to a title game appearance in 1986, and was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002.

Beville was enshrined in the U.S. Lacrosse Upstate New York Hall of Fame in 2010, fitting recognition for a career that has shaped generations of players and coaches.

A Family of Coaches

The legacy continues through his daughter, Liz Beville, a former Cortland player and assistant coach who now leads the women’s program at Le Moyne College.

Conclusion

The Steve Beville legacy is one of excellence, leadership, and transformation — not just in wins and titles, but in the lives of the countless student-athletes he mentored. His retirement marks the close of a historic chapter in lacrosse history, but his influence will echo through the sport for generations to come.