Pope Hackney ’01 is one of the greatest all-around lacrosse players in W&L’s rich history in the sport.
Hackney was a four-year letterwinner and two-year captain for the Generals, helping lead the team to a 56-8 overall record, two Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championships and three trips to the NCAA Division III Tournament.
A midfielder, Hackney graduated ranking 12th all-time at W&L in scoring (160 pts.) and seventh in goals scored (112). He also notched 48 assists and 192 ground balls, while also winning 97-of-169 (.574) faceoffs.
As a rookie in 1998, Hackney helped lead the Generals to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in five seasons. He played in all 16 of the team’s games, totaling 17 goals, seven assists and 52 ground balls, while also winning 56.8 percent of his faceoffs.
Hackney’s career took off during his sophomore season when he earned First Team All-ODAC and Third Team All-America honors in leading the Generals to the ODAC title and a No. 2 seed for the NCAA Tournament. He played in all 15 of the team’s games and notched 27 goals, 10 assists and 42 ground balls.
As a junior in 2000, Hackney once again earned First Team All-ODAC laurels en route to garnering one of W&L’s first First Team All-America selections in 20 years. He played in all 18 games and posted 31 goals and 18 assists, while also totaling a career-high 67 ground balls and winning 63.5 percent of his faceoffs. The Generals climbed to No. 1 in the nation during the season before advancing to the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament.
Hackney’s senior season also saw the Generals climb to the top spot in the Division III polls, and he totaled a career-best 50 points on 37 goals and 13 assists, to go along with 31 ground balls in 15 games played. Following the season, he earned First Team All-ODAC honors and was named the ODAC Player of the Year. He also received First Team All-America and Scholar All-America accolades, and he was named a North-South Senior All-Star.
