John D. Phillips, USA Lacrosse Hall of Famer, dies at 89
John Phillips Credit: Andrew Phillips
John D. Phillips had a passion for lacrosse and spent much of his life promoting the sport he loved.
“He impacted generations of lacrosse players,” said son Andrew Phillips of Manhasset . “If there were some guys in zebra stripes and with some lacrosse sticks on the side of the road, he would pull over because he was always ready to support the game.”
Phillips, a 2006 inductee into the USA Lacrosse Hall of Fame, died Sept. 17, his family said. He was 89.
Born on June 8, 1935, in Newton, New Jersey, Phillips grew up in Brooklyn. He played lacrosse at Navy and Cornell, where met his wife of 64 years, Sallie. He worked in the steel industry, wholesale liquor business and ran J.D. Phillips, Inc.- a data processing consulting firm - for 25 years, alongside his wife.
Phillips, who lived in Gilgo Beach for over 50 years before moving to Glen Cove, played for, coached and served as general manager for the Long Island Lacrosse club, where he was part of 18 U.S. Club Lacrosse championships. He was a coach and general manager for the New York Saints of the National Lacrosse League and was involved with the U.S. national team for over 30 years, including serving as manager for three world championships.
“I’ve been very involved in international lacrosse and a lot of it was because of John,” fellow Cornell lacrosse alum Howie Borkan said. “No matter how frenzied you were, you could call John and when you got done talking, everything was good. He had a calming effect.”
Phillips sat on the board of directors for the Lacrosse Foundation from 1987 to 1989. He was an executive director of the International Lacrosse Federation from 1995 to 2002 and the US Lacrosse Long Island Metro chapter.
“We met through the Long Island Metropolitan Lacrosse Foundation and, eventually, I sat on the Hall of Fame committee with John,” former Molloy women’s lacrosse coach Tom Campolettano said. “To sit there and listen to someone like him, he was a guy we looked up to.”
In retirement, Phillips continued to give back to the game he cherished. He was a volunteer assistant coach for Seaford High School's lacrosse and football teams for over a decade.
“When I came in as an assistant, as a new guy, John couldn’t have been more welcoming,” Seaford boys lacrosse coach Brian Horner said. “He quickly became a mentor and a friend. He had an ability to say things simply and clearly, and it would feel like it created an epiphany for you.”
“He loved to joke around, but he’d be tough with the kids when he felt he needed to. He was very focused on the fundamentals,” former Seaford football coach Michael Corcoran said. “He always maintained a great balance on and off the field.”
In addition to his wife and son, Phillips is survived by son John of Massachusetts daughter Susan of South Carolina, and five grandchildren.
“When it was time to volunteer, he always stepped forward, but when it was time to take credit, he took a step back,” Andrew Phillips said. “Even when he got into the Hall of Fame, it was just a validation of everything. It was nice to get the recognition, but it was never a goal for him.”
A memorial service and gathering will be held Nov. 9 at 11 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church in Manhasset.
Christopher Matias covers high school sports for Newsday after spending time in Athletic Facilities and Operation at St. John’s and in Sports Information at CUNY York college.
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