ITHACA, N.Y. – Connor Buczek '15, who guided Cornell to its first NCAA championship in 48 years and returned the Big Red to national prominence, has signed a multi-year contract extension to continue leading Cornell men's lacrosse as the Richard M. Moran Head Coach for Men's Lacrosse, Director of Athletics & Physical Education Dr. Nicki Moore announced today.

"Connor is an extraordinary leader who has embraced Cornell's proud lacrosse tradition while inspiring our student-athletes to compete, learn and grow at the highest level," Moore said. "While it's been an amazing year for Connor, this extension reflects an impressive body of work over the past 10 years, and the past five as head coach. His teams play with unmistakable passion, grit, and belief - qualities that reflect the very best of the Big Red. Along with the generous alumni and friends who've demonstrated their loyalty and enduring connections, and with University leaders, my team and I are thrilled to continue building this momentum with Connor at the helm and excited for what the future holds for this remarkable program." 

"Thanks to Dr. Nicki Moore and the entire Cornell administration for their support and confidence in me and my staff to continue leading the Cornell Men's Lacrosse program," Buczek noted. "Cornell and Cornell Lacrosse have given so much to me and my family. We are excited to continue to work tirelessly to honor the tradition of Cornell Lacrosse and build on the current momentum of the program."

The 2025 USILA National Coach of the Year, Buczek steered the Big Red to the program's fourth national title in May, defeating No. 2 Maryland 13-10 in the championship final. Cornell finished the year 18-1 (6-0 Ivy), spent eight straight weeks ranked No. 1 nationally, captured its 21st outright Ivy League Championship and earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament in making its claim as one of the greatest teams in the sport's storied history.

A two-time Ivy League Coach of the Year (2022, 2023) and 2023 ECAC Coach of the Year, Buczek has led Cornell to three NCAA Tournament appearances in four seasons, including the 2022 national runner-up finish. His teams have compiled a 52-15 overall record and a dominant 20-4 mark in Ivy League play.

Under his direction, the Big Red have won four consecutive Ivy League Championships (2022-25) and claimed the program's first Ivy League Tournament title since 2018 this past spring. Buczek's offenses have consistently ranked among the nation's most dynamic, powered by elite development and star performance.

He has coached 31 All-Ivy selections, 13 All-Americans, and helped develop CJ Kirst into the NCAA's all-time leading goal scorer with 247 career goals. Kirst earned the 2025 Tewaaraton Award — Cornell's first since Rob Pannell '13 — along with USILA Outstanding Player of the Year, ECAC Offensive Player of the Year, and ESPY nomination honors. Five Big Red student-athletes have also earned major Ivy League awards under Buczek's leadership.

A 2015 graduate of the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, Buczek was a three-time All-American midfielder, the 2014 Ivy League Player of the Year and remains the highest-scoring midfielder in program history with 155 points. The 2025 inductee into the Cornell Athletics Hall of Fame for his success as a player, he earned the Senior CLASS Award in 2015 and was recognized for his academic achievements by CoSIDA and the USILA. Buczek completed his MBA from Cornell's Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management in 2017.