General | 7/25/2016 9:31:00 AM

ROCHESTER, NY - The RIT athletics family mourns the loss of two-sport legend Bill Bjorness, who unexpectedly passed away on July 22. Bjorness, a two-sport standout with both the men's lacrosse and hockey programs, was a 1986 graduate of the university, earning induction into the RIT Athletics Hall of Fame in 1999.
 
As a student-athlete at RIT, his lacrosse career was nothing short of spectacular. From 1983-86, the Tigers amassed a 49-10 record, advancing to the NCAA Tournament four times, while playing in the NCAA National Semifinals in 1984 and 1985. Bjorness was RIT's first three-time All-American and was named the Empire Athletic Association (EAA) Player of the Year in 1984. That season, he led the nation in scoring (86 points) and was selected as a first team All-American. After his senior campaign, Bjorness was selected to participate in the prestigious Senior North/South Lacrosse Game. He would finish his stellar RIT career with then program records of 154 goals, 112 assists, and 266 points. Bjorness is currently the university's all-time leader with 37 man-up goals and 14 game-winning tallies.
 
Bjorness played one season for the hockey program at RIT, helping the squad win its first NCAA Championship as a Division II program in 1982-83. 
 
"The RIT Athletics Family mourns the loss of one of its finest student-athletes ever," said Lou Spiotti Jr., RIT Executive Director of Athletics. "Bill Bjorness was an exceptional athletic talent who gave his all on the field of play and the arena. He will be sorely missed by the RIT and the lacrosse community. RIT extends our deepest sympathy to his family."
 
Bjorness was named the head lacrosse coach at Emerson College in Boston on July 20. Previously, Bjorness coached at the IMG Academy in Florida and Hartwick College in Oneonta. Bjorness served as the Hawks' head coach from 1999-2014 and is one of only two coaches in the history of the program to amass over 100 victories. He would lead Hartwick to seven ECAC Tournament appearances and two Empire 8 playoff berths. Prior to that, he had served as an assistant coach at Keuka (1986-88), Hartwick (1989-91), RIT (1991-93) and Dartmouth (1994-98).
 
On the international level, Bjorness worked with the Iroquois Nationals Team towards successful campaigns at the World Lacrosse Championships.
 
A native of Deer Park, New York, Bill Bjorness is survived by his son Adam and daughter Addison.

The Bjorness Family has asked that gifts in Bill's memory be directed to the RIT men's lacrosse team. To make a gift, click here or contact Adam Platzer at Adam.platzer@rit.edu or 585-475-6465.