Sacred Heart Prep’s Chris Rotelli Earns National Lacrosse Hall of Fame Honor

9/14/2026

Jason Armstrong, SHP Athletics

An NCAA champion and Tewaaraton Award winner, SHP’s head boys’ lacrosse coach earns national recognition while building a legacy of championship success and student-athlete development.

ATHERTON, Calif. — Sacred Heart Prep boys’ lacrosse head coach Chris Rotelli has been selected for the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame, securing his place among the most accomplished figures in the sport’s history.

One of eight members of the Class of 2026, Rotelli will be formally inducted on January 9, 2027, in Baltimore. The distinction celebrates a career that reached the pinnacle of collegiate lacrosse and continues to shape the experience of student-athletes at SHP.

“Chris’s selection to the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame is an extraordinary accomplishment and a source of tremendous pride for our community,” said Jason Armstrong, Sacred Heart Prep Assistant Principal for Athletics. “He is a transformational leader whose influence will stay with our student-athletes long after they leave the field. He challenges them to hold themselves accountable, care for their teammates, and understand their responsibility to something larger than themselves. Chris embodies the values of Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton through his respect for each person and his commitment to developing both character and ability. We are deeply grateful that he has chosen to invest his talents and his heart in our students.”

A Distinguished Collegiate and Professional Career

At the University of Virginia, Rotelli established himself as one of the nation’s premier midfielders. As a senior captain in 2003, he helped lead the Cavaliers to the NCAA Division I national championship and became the university’s first recipient of the Tewaaraton Award, presented to the nation’s top collegiate lacrosse player.

That season, he also earned national midfielder of the year, ACC Player of the Year, and ACC Male Athlete of the Year honors—the latter recognizing achievement across the conference’s men’s sports. A two-time First Team All-American, Rotelli helped Virginia reach three NCAA semifinals during his collegiate career.

He was selected No. 1 overall in the 2003 Major League Lacrosse draft and competed professionally for eight seasons. His latest honor makes him the 15th Virginia Cavalier selected for the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Read the University of Virginia’s tribute to Rotelli.

Building a Championship Program at Sacred Heart Prep

For more than a decade, Rotelli has brought that experience to SHP, helping generations of student-athletes pursue accomplishments of their own.

This spring, he surpassed 200 varsity coaching victories. His tenure includes multiple league championships and Central Coast Section titles in 2021 and 2025. The Gators secured the 2025 championship with an 8–7 victory over St. Ignatius and returned to the CCS final in 2026, competing once again for the title that concludes the high school season.

His influence extends to the collegiate ranks, where SHP alumni have continued their lacrosse careers at Duke, Notre Dame, Brown, and North Carolina, among other universities. Those paths begin in the daily work of the program, as Rotelli helps student-athletes deepen their understanding of the game, build confidence, and take ownership of their development. He draws on his experience at the highest levels of competition to teach the preparation and discipline success requires, while emphasizing their responsibility to one another.

“Chris’s recognition is a proud moment for everyone at Sacred Heart Prep,” said Director of Schools Rich Dioli. “We want our students to be inspired by the people who teach and lead them. Chris shows them what dedication can make possible, then helps them discover what they are capable of achieving themselves. His generosity in sharing his knowledge and his commitment to their growth exemplify the education we strive to provide.”

The Hall of Fame will recognize Rotelli’s achievements as a player. At Sacred Heart Prep, his legacy continues through the student-athletes he mentors, the teams he leads, and the opportunities he helps create.

Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton congratulates Chris Rotelli on this exceptional honor and thanks him for the leadership and care he brings to the school every day.

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