This past spring, coach Steve Hurley’s North Dorchester High School boys’ team played against his alma mater, Cambridge-South Dorchester, in a late season showdown. Significantly, the game marked the first intra-county high school lacrosse game in the history of Dorchester County, located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
Hurley’s role in this milestone achievement was instrumental.
Back in 1977, Hurley was a freshman when Cambridge-SD began its lacrosse program. He played four years for the Vikings before moving to Salisbury University (then-Salisbury State), where he earned most valuable player and second-team All-America honors as a senior in 1984.
After college, Hurley returned to Cambridge-SD as boys’ head coach for a total of 24 years, split over two terms. He finally stepped away in 2021, turning over the reins to another alum and one of his former players, Brendan Bromwell.
But Hurley couldn’t remain idle.
Two years after stepping down at Cambridge-SD, Hurley helped launch a boys’ club team at North Dorchester, a smaller school that has never had the support of a local youth feeder program. With Hurley’s support as coach, North Dorchester played its first varsity season in 2025, setting up the historic moment on May 2 when Dorchester County’s only two high schools met for the first time.
“It’s so cool to now have a rivalry in our county,” Hurley said, “although I guess it won’t be a real rivalry until both teams have beaten the other.”
In addition to now being part of the lacrosse legacy at both county high schools, Hurley was the one who launched the Dorchester County Youth Lacrosse program in 1996, introducing the game to hundreds of local boys and girls through the years. As a USA Lacrosse member program, DCYL continues to thrive today, with numerous former players serving as coaches, volunteers and board members.
“There’s been so many people involved through the years to make the youth program successful,” Hurley said. “The friendships are the magic in the game.”
While giving credit to many, Hurley’s role in the local growth of the game has not gone unnoticed.
“Steve and his programs have introduced lacrosse to countless young people from Dorchester County,” said Brian Haumersen, a longtime friend and former Hurley teammate. “He has truly enriched the lives of these kids, many of whom have leveraged their lacrosse skills and passion to attend and play in college. Even those who did not play in college still got to experience lacrosse through Steve and they are the better for it.”
Hurley simply has a passion for growing the game and is never hesitant about serving as a lacrosse ambassador. As a part-time high school coach, he would often slip into school after his full-time workday as an activity therapist for the state of Maryland to talk with potential players and stir interest in the game.
“I love to get new kids out,” Hurley said. “I enjoy recruiting. Whether it’s a freshman or a senior, it's just fun getting new kids. We’re trying to build up young people through lacrosse.”
Hurley’s efforts have never been confined to simply supporting the local youth and high school players. For several decades, he has served as organizer of the annual Turkey Bowl, an open game for all lacrosse enthusiasts on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving. During summers, Hurley is the catalyst for Monday and Wednesday summer league pickup games in Cambridge, uniting players of all ages.
“Steve's love of the game is amazing,” Haumersen said.
Unbeknownst to Hurley, there was a special ceremony planned for the historic game on May 2 to recognize his many decades of contribution to growing the game on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Many of his former players joined in the ceremony and presented Hurley with a customized helmet plaque. A letter of commendation from USA Lacrosse’s CEO Mark Riccio was read over the public address system.
“I didn’t really have an idea about anything that was planned for that night,” Hurley said. “I just thought it was an awesome evening for lacrosse in our county, having it all come together. I was simply reminded about how this game has been such a blessing to me.”
Community Heroes
This USA Lacrosse online series seeks to recognize individuals who are helping to grow lacrosse on the grass roots level. Do you know someone who is making a positive difference in their community? Submit an online nomination and share their story.
