Salisbury University women’s lacrosse head coach Jim Nestor will be inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame Class of 2026, USA Lacrosse announced. The honor marks Nestor’s second lacrosse Hall of Fame induction after entering the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2024.
Nestor recently completed his 25th season with Salisbury University women’s lacrosse. He will join seven other inductees at the ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2027, at the M&T Bank Exchange in Baltimore. Tickets for the event will be available for online purchase next month.
Building a Historic Salisbury University Legacy
Nestor is a four-time national champion and ranks as the third-winningest head coach in NCAA women’s lacrosse history. Under his leadership, Salisbury University has won 22 conference championships, qualified for 23 NCAA tournaments, and appeared in 10 NCAA finals.
During his Salisbury tenure, Nestor holds a 442-63 record with a 97.5 percent win rate. His career record stands at 521-102-1, with an 83.6 percent winning percentage. He has earned IWLCA Coach of the Year honors five times.
His players include two national players of the year, 13 national positional players of the year, and 71 All-Americans. The coaching staff has received 18 IWLCA Chesapeake Region Coaching Staff of the Year awards.
Record-Breaking Success Beyond Salisbury
Nestor claims the longest Division III regular-season winning streak against conference opponents at 101 games. Additionally, from 2012 to 2015, his team held a 48-game home winning streak, the second longest in Division III history.
Prior to joining Salisbury in 2002, Nestor coached at Colby-Sawyer and Gannon University. At Gannon, he posted a 73-20-1 record and maintained winning seasons each year. He was named IWLCA Division II Coach of the Year in 1996 and NCAA Division II Coach of the Year by CollegeLacrosseUSA.com in 2000.
Nestor played lacrosse and wrestled during college at Salisbury University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1990 and completed a master’s degree at Frostburg State in 1992.
Reflections on a Well-Deserved Honor
“It means more than I can express,” Nestor said. “I am truly humbled to be selected for this honor and grateful for this recognition by USA Lacrosse. It is a privilege to be inducted with so many greats.”
Salisbury University Director of Athletics Monica Polizzi praised Nestor’s leadership and impact. “Coach Nestor’s induction into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame is an extraordinary and well-deserved recognition of a career defined by excellence, leadership, and a deep commitment to lacrosse. His greatest legacy is the culture he has built and the lives he has shaped.”
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Jim Nestor’s 25-season tenure and outstanding coaching record solidify his standing as a leader in women’s lacrosse. His induction ceremony will occur Jan. 9, 2027, at the M&T Bank Exchange in Baltimore.
Source: Original report
