National Lacrosse Hall of Fame Class of 2024 inductees (from left) Kristen Kjellman Marshall, Brodie Merrill, John Grant Jr. and Paul Rabil

Millennial Megastars Headline National Lacrosse Hall of Fame Class of 2024

October 17, 2024

Matt DaSilva

Four world-class players who helped redefine the sport at the turn of the century will be inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in January.

John Grant Jr., Kristen Kjellman Marshall, Brodie Merrill and Paul Rabil — generational talents who are synonymous with the sport’s exploding popularity over the last 25 years — headline the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024.

The foursome will be enshrined Jan. 11 at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel in Baltimore along with a pair of legendary NCAA Division III women’s lacrosse coaches and two decorated college officials. Tickets go on sale Oct. 21.

𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 ⭐

A new chapter in lacrosse history begins as 8️⃣ new inductees will join over 475 lacrosse greats for their contributions to the sport. Join us in congratulating the following inductees:… pic.twitter.com/4z2wWdMTcK
— USA Lacrosse (@USA_Lacrosse) October 17, 2024

Hosted by USA Lacrosse, the ceremony annually brings out the sport’s luminaries to celebrate their shared history and usher in a new group of players, coaches, officials and contributors who personify greatness.

The National Lacrosse Hall of Fame was established in 1957. Inductees are selected each year by ranked ballot. The voting group consists of current Hall of Famers, U.S. National Team coaches and players, elite high school and college coaches and accomplished officials.

Carol Cantele

A three-time NCAA championship-winning coach at Gettysburg, Cantele retired in 2022 as the second all-time winningest coach in Division III history with a 451-124 career record. She was also an assistant on the gold medal-winning 2013 U.S. Women’s National Team.

John Grant Jr.

Greatest pro ever? You could make that case for Grant, the 1999 USILA Division I Player of the Year at Delaware whose 17-year professional playing career included an abundance of accolades. He was a two-time NLL MVP and a two-time MLL MVP, winning six championships. He’s the only player who ranks top-five in both leagues for career points.

Vincent LoBello

The top official in New England during his 30-year career, LoBello worked at every level of the sport, including many of the top collegiate games in the 1960s and 1970s. He also served as president of the USILA.

Kristen Kjellman Marshall

A catalyst of the Northwestern dynasty, Marshall graduated in 2007 as a two-time Tewaaraton Award winner. She led the Wildcats to three consecutive NCAA championships, earning IWLCA Division I Midfielder of the Year honors all three years. After college she joined the U.S. Women’s National Team, earning All-World distinction for the gold medal-winning 2009 team in Prague, Czech Republic.

Brodie Merrill

Merrill’s legacy was so powerful, the PLL named its long-stick midfielder of the year award after him while he was still playing in the league. He revolutionized the position at Georgetown, graduating as the USILA Division I Defenseman of the Year in 2005. He brought eyes to the position with his style and ability to impact the game. A six-time MLL Defensive Player of the Year and nine time NLL All-Pro selection, Merrill retired as the all-time leader in ground balls in both leagues.

Patti Klecha-Porter

Still active, Klecha-Porter has officiated women’s lacrosse since 1984, working 33 NCAA championship weekend games and in three world championships (2001, 2005 and 2009). She has served as the head umpire six times for NCAA championships.

Paul Rabil

Arguably the most influential figure in lacrosse history, Rabil’s playing career is rivaled only by his impact as an entrepreneur and founder. A four-time All-American midfielder and two-time NCAA champion at Johns Hopkins, Rabil went all-in on pro lacrosse. He built a massive social media following and signed endorsement deals that earned him the billing of lacrosse’s first “million-dollar man.” That experience led him to launch the Premier Lacrosse League while he was still playing professionally. He was a two-time MLL MVP and retired in 2021 as the all-time leader in pro field lacrosse history with 657 career points. Rabil also starred for three U.S. Men’s National Teams, winning two world titles and earning MVP honors in 2010.

Betsy Meng Ramsey

Ramsey won three national championships as the head coach at Ursinus, including NCAA Division III titles in 1986 and 1989. A two-time IWLCA Coach of the Year, she had a career winning percentage of 72 percent before moving to the high school ranks to lead the Agnes Irwin (Pa.) program from 1992-2001. She returned to the game as an official in 2008.

Written By

Matt DaSilva

Matt DaSilva is the editor in chief of USA Lacrosse Magazine. He played LSM at Sachem (N.Y.) and for the club team at Delaware. Somewhere on the dark web resides a GIF of him getting beat for the game-winning goal in the 2002 NCLL final.