Buckeye Lacrosse Mourns the Loss of Coach Paul Hartman
12/20/2024 4:50:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State men's lacrosse program mourns the loss of former head coach Paul Hartman, who passed away this week. Coach Hartman's lasting impact touched not only the Buckeye Lacrosse brotherhood, but the lacrosse and greater athletics communities in his time as a player, coach, educator and athletics director.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Jane Hartman and the entire Hartman Family," Ohio State head coach Nick Myers said. "Coach Hartman was an amazing educator and leader of young men. He leaves an incredible legacy behind and one that we will continue to honor here at The Ohio State University for years to come."
Hartman started his Ohio State career as a student-athlete. He was a three-sport athlete for the Buckeyes, competing for the men's gymnastics and soccer teams in addition to lacrosse.
On the men's lacrosse team, he was a letterwinner for the 1955, 1956 and 1957 teams and became the first Buckeye to earn All-America honors in 1957. During his All-American season, he led the team in scoring with 43 points and 38 goals. He also was a two-time All-Midwest Lacrosse League honoree.
Hartman went on to coach the Buckeyes from 1960-66, leading the team to a 60-45-2 record and an undefeated 14-0 campaign in '66. He helped the Buckeyes to first place finishes in the Midwest Lacrosse Association in his last two seasons at the helm.
Hartman was inducted into the Ohio Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1998 and became an Ohio State Athletics Hall of Famer in 2000. He was also named the 1974 Man of the Year by the U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association.
He was a three-time graduate of The Ohio State University, earning his bachelor's degree in 1957, his master's degree in 1958 and his doctorate degree in 1963.
For the last 20 years, the team has an award – the Paul Hartman Most Improved Player – named for the Buckeyes' former coach to honor his work in turning three losing seasons into three winning seasons for the Buckeyes. The scoreboard at Ohio State Lacrosse Stadium is also named in his honor.
