Hobart–Syracuse lacrosse rivalry

The Hobart–Syracuse lacrosse rivalry is an intercollegiate lacrosse rivalry between Hobart Statesmen and Syracuse Orange. The two programs, both based in Upstate New York, developed one of the most historically-relevant rivalries in lacrosse. The rivalry trails only the Cornell–Hobart and Johns Hopkins–Maryland rivalries as the third-oldest series in lacrosse. The Statesmen and Orange have combined for 32 national championships, with the two maintaining annual nature of the rivalry, even after the NCAA split into separate divisions. During the 1970s through the 1990s, Hobart competed in Divisions II and III, while Syracuse competed in Division I. Both programs dominated their respective divisions during this period, with Hobart capturing 15 national championships during this period and the Orange claiming 6. In 1995, Hobart promoted its team from Division III to Division I to preserve the series with the Orange and its other upstate rival Cornell. In 2008, the annual rivalry was jeopardized when Hobart's board of trustees voted to reclassify its lacrosse program back to the Division III level. After an emotional reaction from the alumni community, however, the decision was reversed on May 1. Syracuse leads the series, described as a classic "David versus Goliath" contest, 81–26–2 through 2024.