OCC men’s lacrosse coach Wilbur steps down for new role at school

“Coach Wilbur has been an extraordinary leader both on and off the field, serving as an outstanding example and mentor to his players. While he has had outstanding success as a coach and has received numerous accolades and awards, Coach Wilbur has always put the ‘student’ in ‘student-athlete’ first. We are deeply grateful to Chuck for his leadership and the great pride he has brought to OCC and the Lazer family, and we look forward to him continuing that forward momentum in this new capacity,” Casey Crabill, president of OCC, said in the school’s news release.

OCC is “immediately” launching a national search to identify Wilbur’s successor.

As retention specialist, Wilbur will be responsible for “supporting student athletes” through recruitment, enrollment, advisement, and assistance with transfer and employment. He will also serve as a liaison for Native American students and support a Native American student-resource center.

Wilbur is “very excited to be taking on this new challenge” as retention specialist at OCC, he said in the school’s news release.

“One of the most rewarding parts of being head coach at OCC for 17 years is that I get to work with students every day, helping them become not just great players, but great students and great leaders. I am so proud of the accomplishments that the OCC Lazers have had over the years and of the privilege I have had to serve as their head coach. At this point in my career and in my life, it’s time for [a] new head coach to take the Lazers to the next level and for me to take on this new opportunity and new professional challenge,” said Wilbur.

Program under Wilbur

Wilbur’s efforts both on and off the field have led to “extraordinary success for his players,” OCC said in its news release.

Over the years, 25 have become professional lacrosse players; 61 have transferred to Division I colleges; 96 have transferred to Division II colleges; 101 have transferred to Division III colleges; and those that have transferred have won a combined 34 NCAA National Championships, according to the news release.

In May, Wilbur guided the Lazers to their 11th national championship in 13 years.

In his 17 seasons as men’s lacrosse coach, Wilbur compiled a won-loss record of 266-15. In addition, Wilbur has won 17 consecutive Mid-State Athletic Conference championships; 14 consecutive Region III championships and guided the Lazers to the longest win streak in college lacrosse history at 107 games, a streak that started March 30, 2010 and continued to March 5, 2016, OCC said.

The Lazers will enter next season with an active 30 game win streak, the school noted. Wilbur was named the NJCAA Lacrosse Coaches Association National Coach of the Year in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2017 and 2018.

NJCAA is short for the National Junior College Athletic Association.

Wilbur is a 1995 graduate of Cicero-North Syracuse High School and a member of that school’s Hall of Fame, OCC said.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com