The international lacrosse family is today remembering the enduring character, lasting contributions and remarkable commitment of Mr. Jake Curran, who helped shape the game globally during 40 years of service as an official at the international, college and high school levels of lacrosse.
Among his many contributions to the game, Mr. Curran was a founding member of the International Federation of Lacrosse (now FIL) Referees Association and served as the group’s first President. He co-authored the playing rules that were followed internationally for a number of years thereafter.
Mr. Curran was Referee-in-Chief for three FIL World Championships and, during his distinguished international career, worked numerous FIL World Championships, Canadian Championships and European Championships. His first World Championship assignment came in 1974 in Melbourne, Australia and his efforts to support the growth of lacrosse and help develop officials took him to Canada, England, the Czech Republic, Finland and other countries.
In the United States, Mr. Curran served as a high school and college official from 1964-2004, during which time he worked five NCAA Men’s Championship games.
In recognition of his service to the game, Mr. Curran was honored with the Silver Whistle Award and Gold Whistle Award in New York, and the USILA’s Frenchy Julien Service Award. In 2006, Mr. Curran received the International Lacrosse Federation Development Committee Award for his many contributions and distinguished service to the game globally. In 2015, he was honored with induction to the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
“The international referees of today owe a debt of gratitude to Jake for the hard work and dedication to the game of international lacrosse over the many decades,” said Don Blacklock, FIL Technical Director. “Whilst Jake has been away from our game for a few years his enduring legacy is still felt around the world and will continue to live on.”
Mr. Curran earned degrees from the University of Florida and Syracuse University before being admitted to the New York State Bar as a practicing attorney in 1960.
Through four decades of remarkable service to lacrosse, Mr. Curran created a lasting legacy that will benefit players, coaches and officials for generations to come.
