MIssion/Vision StatementThe Chesapeake Bayhawks are the hometown's premier men's professional outdoor lacrosse team. Founded in 2001 as one of the original teams in Major League Lacrosse, the franchise stands as the winningest team in the MLL having claimed five league championships thus far.
The Bayhawks have built their success across many facets, from winning games to selling tickets, by following the mantra of "playing for the name on the front of the jersey, not the back." The vision for the Bayhawks is to base their everyday business practices off loyalty, respect, and a staff of passionate people who possess great character and work ethic. |
History
The Bayhawks are the most successful team in the 15-year history of Major League Lacrosse. They have won over 100 regular season games, 12 of their 16 postseason games, appeared in seven championship games, and earned a record five MLL championships.
Originally based in Baltimore, the 2001-2005 Bayhawks were the model of the MLL. They reached the postseason during all five seasons, appeared in the championship game in four of those years, and won the Steinfeld cup in 2002 and 2005.
In 2009 the team signed a long-term arrangement with the Naval Academy to play in Annapolis, MD. In early 2010, the Bayhawks were purchased by Hometown Lacrosse, LLC, a group headed by Brendan Kelly, a former college player and club coach. Kelly quickly changed the team’s name to Chesapeake Bayhawks to better reflect the organization’s regional appeal.
From 2006 to 2010, the Bayhawks had multiple losing seasons and were in danger of missing the playoffs for a fifth year in a row. Kelly appointed himself head coach and hired former Loyola University and University of Maryland coach Dave Cottle as his assistant coach. The coaches revitalized the team which resulted in victories in the last two regular season games and a playoff berth. The Bayhawks made it to the championship game and defeated the New York Lizards 13 to 8.
After the 2011 season, where the Bayhawks lost in the semifinal game, Kelly stepped down as head coach and promoted Dave Cottle to head coach. The Bayhawks then went on to win two consecutive championship games; they defeated the Denver Outlaws in 2012 and the Charlotte Hounds in 2013.
Originally based in Baltimore, the 2001-2005 Bayhawks were the model of the MLL. They reached the postseason during all five seasons, appeared in the championship game in four of those years, and won the Steinfeld cup in 2002 and 2005.
In 2009 the team signed a long-term arrangement with the Naval Academy to play in Annapolis, MD. In early 2010, the Bayhawks were purchased by Hometown Lacrosse, LLC, a group headed by Brendan Kelly, a former college player and club coach. Kelly quickly changed the team’s name to Chesapeake Bayhawks to better reflect the organization’s regional appeal.
From 2006 to 2010, the Bayhawks had multiple losing seasons and were in danger of missing the playoffs for a fifth year in a row. Kelly appointed himself head coach and hired former Loyola University and University of Maryland coach Dave Cottle as his assistant coach. The coaches revitalized the team which resulted in victories in the last two regular season games and a playoff berth. The Bayhawks made it to the championship game and defeated the New York Lizards 13 to 8.
After the 2011 season, where the Bayhawks lost in the semifinal game, Kelly stepped down as head coach and promoted Dave Cottle to head coach. The Bayhawks then went on to win two consecutive championship games; they defeated the Denver Outlaws in 2012 and the Charlotte Hounds in 2013.