48 Years in the Making: Inside the Championship Mindset of Cornell Lacrosse

On this episode of The Jon Gordon Podcast, I’m joined by Cornell lacrosse head coach and now national champion, Connor Buczek for an incredible conversation about legacy, leadership, and building a championship culture. If you want to know what it really takes to transform heartbreak into triumph after 48 long years without a title, this is the episode for you.

We dive deep into the values that define Cornell lacrosse—toughness, togetherness, servant leadership and how the legendary George Boiardi, Coach Richie Moran, and others shaped a family-like culture that stands the test of time. Connor shares candid insights about stepping into the head coaching role at just 26, leading through failure, and the blueprint that brought a national championship to Ithaca.

Listen in as we talk about never giving up, the power of belief, honoring the giants who came before, and what it’s like to celebrate a once-in-a-generation win alongside teammates, alumni, and family. This is a conversation about more than lacrosse, it’s about legacy, leadership, and lifting others up. If you want to get inspired by what’s possible when people buy into something greater than themselves, don’t miss this episode!

 

About Connor,

Connor Buczek ’15, a former All-American midfielder and Cornell lacrosse legend, has led the Big Red as the Richard M. Moran Head Coach since 2020. After guiding the team through the challenges of the pandemic, Buczek quickly established himself as one of the nation’s top young coaches, taking Cornell to four straight NCAA tournaments, including a national runner-up finish in 2022 and the program’s first national championship in 48 years in 2025. Under his leadership, the Big Red have captured multiple Ivy League titles, consistently ranked among the nation’s top offenses, and developed elite players like Tewaaraton Award winner CJ Kirst. A three-time first-team All-Ivy honoree and 2014 Ivy League Player of the Year during his playing career, Buczek graduated as Cornell’s top-scoring midfielder in history before going on to play professionally in Major League Lacrosse, the Premier Lacrosse League, and internationally for Team USA. His impact as both a coach and player reflects his commitment to excellence, leadership, and the storied tradition of Cornell lacrosse. A Cincinnati native, Buczek continues to shape the program’s future while honoring its legacy.

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