Hutchison Lacrosse Coach David Gearhardt to be Inducted into Tennessee Lacrosse Hall of Fame

“I am honored to have received this award, and especially honored to be inducted with the others in the very first group,” Gearhardt said. “I have been blessed to have been involved with both MUS and Hutchison lacrosse over the past 33 years. I am also excited for the other inductees, each of whom has done so much for the sport over the years.”

Gearhardt started at Hutchison as an assistant coach, and during that five-year run as an assistant, the Sting won five state championships and over 100 games. That remarkable stretch included an undefeated 81-0 record when facing teams from the state of Tennessee.

His dominance continued after he was promoted to the head coaching position in 2016. As the head coach, he has amassed a formidable record. Overall, under Gearhardt, the Sting are 94-11 with a record of 75-5 against teams from the state of Tennessee. Hutchison has won three state championships under Gearhardt’s leadership and developed multiple state and national award-winning players. Gearhardt’s record as a head coach and assistant coach at Hutchison is a staggering 198-18. 

“We are proud to share the selection of Coach David Gearhardt for induction to the Tennessee Lacrosse Hall of Fame,” Hutchison Athletics Director Caroline Schaefer said. “As a part of eight state championship teams, he has led our program to unprecedented success while growing the girls' game in the state of Tennessee. We are grateful for how he has helped so many Hutchison student-athletes over the years. Congratulations to Coach Gearhardt and his family for this special and well-deserved achievement.”

Prior to his time at Hutchison, Gearhardt founded the lacrosse program and coached at Memphis University School for six seasons, leading the Owls to a 65-15 record and a state championship. He made such a strong impression on the Owls that the school named their lacrosse practice field in Gearhardt’s honor. Additionally, he founded the boys lacrosse program at Germantown High School in 1989 and the program at Southwestern University, now known as Rhodes College, in 1983. He also founded three lacrosse club teams and a store, Stickhead Lacrosse, which he co-owns; it was the first dedicated lacrosse store in the state of Tennessee.

Gearhardt will be officially inducted at a ceremony in Nashville on February 11, 2023.