Chuck Wilbur rarely talks about his own achievements, but they speak loudly for him. In 17 seasons as Head Coach of Onondaga Community College's Men's Lacrosse team, Wilbur led the Lazers to 11 National Championships, posted an overall record of 266 wins and just 15 losses, and from 2010 to 2016 oversaw a 107-game win streak, the longest in college lacrosse history.
In recognition of his unparalleled resume, he was recently awarded the National Junior College Association's first-ever Coaches Legacy Award, presented by Nufabrx medical-infused apparel. "It's pretty humbling. I'm honored. It's really a team award. It's about everyone around us who made everyone better. You're only as good as the players around you and the assistant coaches around you."
Throughout his tenure coaching the Lazers, the team slogan was 'family.' Although he stepped down from coaching at OCC in 2018, the family theme he established still resonates with his players. "It's about more than the two years they were here - it's about a lifetime. I get pictures of players' kids, go to player's weddings. Those relationships never fade. We are all family members. We all helped each other get to where we want to go."
Wilbur's impact was so profound that, before his final season as head coach, OCC's Board of Trustees voted to name the playing surface inside Lazer Stadium "Chuck Wilbur Field" in his honor. Today, Wilbur coaches at OCC in a different capacity. He's a Student Navigator in the School of Arts, Communication, Business & Entrepreneurship, where he helps students craft their educational future. "I enjoy working with students here and helping them change their paths. Students come here from all different walks of life for an opportunity and a chance. It's the same thing I was doing in lacrosse. I enjoyed watching kids grow off the field even more than on the field. Getting them to go to class every day, have that competitiveness off the field, make relationships with their professors... that's what kept me going, helping change kids' lives."
He's also continuing to shape lives as the Boys Varsity Lacrosse Coach at Cicero-North Syracuse (C-NS) High School where he has the opportunity to coach his oldest son, Nick, who will be a junior in the fall. "Coaching at this level is all about developing kids. C-NS has never been a powerhouse in lacrosse. It's one of the hardest leagues in the country for high school lacrosse. We finished second last year, and we have some fun groups of kids coming up."
