ITHACA, N.Y. -- As a young boy, Richie Moran struggled with reading. Legend has it that he would take a flashlight and a book to bed, hiding under the sheets and reading the same paragraphs over and over in an attempt to memorize them.  And it was that early experience that helped Moran hone one of his most recognizable traits – his ability to remember people and the details of their lives.

"It is a wonderful gift for me, because it enables me to have strong relationships with people," wrote Moran in his autobiography, "It's Great to Be Here."

And it was that ability to connect with people that made Moran, who died Sunday after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis, a larger-than-life presence in the lacrosse, Cornell, and Ithaca communities. The legendary head coach of the Big Red program for 29 years never missed an opportunity to connect with new people, often using a warm handshake, a welcoming smile, and a little bit of Blarney to leave everyone he met feeling like a dear old friend.

"During my time at Cornell, I attended countless events – from games, to meetings, to award dinners, to fundraising events – where I got to see Richie in action, and I can think of no one that commanded a room like he did," said Andy Noel, The Meakem*Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education. "It's hard to put into words the effect that he had on people, but Richie had an effortless charm that won people over almost immediately. From the minute he would arrive at an event until it was over there was hardly a moment where he wasn't surrounded by friends, acquaintances, or fans wanting to just spend some time in his presence. Richie was universally loved and he will be dearly missed by so many people. His passing is a tremendous loss to the Cornell community and to the lacrosse world."
 
Moran never missed an opportunity to connect with those around him – especially Cornell athletes. He regularly attended games on campus, occupying the same seat at men's and women's basketball games in the upper section behind the Big Red's bench. Cornell coaches across the department would invite him to speak to their players about teamwork and perseverance. And, he often took members of the Athletic Department's staff to lunch as a way of spreading goodwill. 

Roughly 10 years ago, Moran happened upon the Cornell women's basketball squad in a hotel lobby far from Ithaca. He approached the team and introduced himself to the players, asking each where she was from and what high school she attended. To the surprise and delight of the team, he rattled off Cornellian after Cornellian that connected in some way to each and every player.  He left the lobby with 15 new admirers.

"People just gravitated to Richie," said Andy Phillips'84, president of the Cornell Lacrosse Association. "In the larger lacrosse community, people often remark about the outstanding culture of the Cornell program. And the reason for that is Coach Moran. Plain and simple – Richie was the difference maker.

"When you play a sport in college, it's easy to be connected with your linemates, or your roommates, or the guys in your class, but it's much harder to connect across classes, and it becomes even tougher if you're trying to connect with guys who played at a different time than you. But at Cornell, those distinctions disappear, and that's because of Richie. He had a way of bringing people together. He was such a special person, and we all knew it, and we all craved his approval, and that is the common thread that runs through everyone who ever played for him. Remarkably, this cultural foundation of connectedness has also seamlessly extended to alumni who never played for Richie, but are just as attracted to his legacy and significance."

Moran connected countless people to each other, and that in turn strengthened their commitment to each other. He made friends quickly, and he kept friends for life, thanks to his loyalty and commitment – a commitment that extended not only to people, but to Cornell itself.

Near the end of his coaching career, Moran had an opportunity to return to his alma mater, Maryland, for an athletic administration position. While contemplating his decision, he went to the office of Cornell's long-time Sports Information Director Dave Wohlhueter, a dear friend for many years, and put a note on Wohlhueter's desk with directions not to open the envelope until the decision was made. When Moran later decided to stay in Ithaca, Wohlhueter opened the envelope to find a note that stated simply, "Cornell With Love." 

In the years since his retirement in 1997, Moran has seen his love for Cornell returned to him tenfold. Year after year, former players returned to Ithaca for impromptu gatherings to spend time with their former coach. And the Cornell Athletic Department's "official" team reunions were notoriously well-attended.

This past January, nearly 300 members of the extended Big Red Lacrosse family attended Moran's virtual 85th birthday celebration. And, when word of his deteriorating health spread, a steady stream of former players made their way to Ithaca.

The pilgrimages culminated on Saturday, April 16, when Moran attended the Cornell-Army lacrosse game and watched his grandson, Ryan Sposito, notch a hat trick for the visiting Black Knights. Despite a rainy pre-game tailgate, Moran and his wife of 61-years, Pat, were driven through the Schoellkopf Crescent parking lot and a parade of former Cornell players, as well as numerous friends of the program, went up to the window of his car to say hello, pay their respects, and convey their love.

Two of those alumni – All-Americans Mike French '76 and Jon Levine '76 – visited Moran at his home the Friday before the Army game.

"Although Richie was frail, his remarkable smile and charisma, although somewhat subdued, still lit up the room," said French of the meeting. "Jon and I sat very close to Richie and both softly held his hands as we reminisced about special times we had spent together.

"We shared our love for each other and Jon and I both thanked him for all he had done for not only us, but our teammates, the Cornell community as a whole, and everyone else he touched. As always, he asked about our families, and my mother. His memory and interests and concerns about others have always been, and still were uncanny.  

"It was an extremely emotional for all of us and it was a tearful departure. Since his passing, there's not a telephone call that I've had with any of my teammates, former players, friends, or even our current coaching staff, that hasn't ended with 'I love you, man!' That's part of the Cornell Lacrosse Tradition and it all started with our beloved coach, Richie Moran."