Philadelphia Waterdogs head coach Bill Tierney will be honored this year by Denver City Lax for his longtime efforts to grow lacrosse in Denver and across the West — an acknowledgment of a commitment that has stretched far beyond wins and championships.
“I didn’t start it,” Tierney said. “But when they invited me to be on the board and come to practices and be around it, I wanted to give everything I had to the sport that’s shaped a majority of what I’ve done.”
That mindset has defined Tierney’s career.
Long before he arrived in Colorado, he helped launch a lacrosse initiative in Trenton, N.J., while coaching at Princeton. That experience shaped his belief in making the sport accessible and sustainable.
“You owe the thing you choose in life everything you’ve got,” Tierney said. “Coming out here, after leaving Princeton and my Trenton experience, this was really important to me.”
Soon after he landed in Denver in 2009 to coach the University of Denver men’s lacrosse team, Tierney connected with Denver City Lax. Over the last 15 years, he has served on the organization’s board, mentored players and helped build connections across all levels of lacrosse.
According to Eric Law, the former PLL star who serves as Denver City Lax’s director of lacrosse operations, that involvement has never been more impactful.
“When you say Bill Tierney sits on your board, that’s not just a figurehead,” Law said. “He’s actively involved in board meetings, he’s a phone call away, and he always brings ideas and guidance. He helps with gala planning, fundraising and figuring out how we can be better day in and day out.”
Denver City Lax gives kids access to equipment, team play, year-round training, travel and competitive opportunities. Off the field, it supports academics with tutoring, college counseling, test prep and guidance through high school and college.
“It’s almost like lacrosse is the vehicle,” Tierney said. “At the end of the day, it’s really not about [lacrosse]. … it’s about giving these kids and their families an opportunity to do what they want to do or build a better life.”
Law, who grew up playing lacrosse in Colorado and has spent 13 years with Denver City Lax, said Tierney understood the importance of that mission from the moment he arrived.
“One of the first things Coach T did when he came to Denver was reach out and say he wanted to do anything and everything he could to help grow the sport at a grassroots level,” the recently retired attackman said. “He understands the importance of programs like this and making sure diversity is shown in the game. That’s just who he is.”
Tierney, in turn, credits Law, executive director Rob Allison and managing director Ben Allison for sustaining and expanding the program over time.
“The seeds are planted, but a lot of times people who are running them have other things to do, or they run out of steam,” Tierney said. “… What’s amazing about this one is that they’ve stuck with it.”
He sees Denver’s lacrosse growth mirroring what he witnessed at Princeton, supported by college and professional players mentoring the next generation, including some he personally coached.
“These city programs are hard to maintain,” Tierney said. “It’s important that everyone who’s in the lacrosse world does their little part.”
For Law and many within the organization, Tierney’s influence goes beyond connections and reputation.
“He’s the most humble guy on the planet,” Law said. “He’ll never take credit for anything, but he gives everyone his time. It doesn’t matter who you are — when he’s with you, he gives you his undivided attention. He truly cares about people and about making every community he’s part of better.”
That quality, Law said, is what makes Tierney one of a kind.
“Anytime someone says ‘Coach T,’ everyone knows exactly who they’re talking about,” he said. “He’s a legend not just because of championships, but because of who he is as a person. Anyone who’s met him has been impacted just by having a conversation with him.”
Even now, as head coach of the Waterdogs, Tierney remains committed to programs like Denver City Lax and building the future of the sport.
“When I wake up in the morning,” he said, “I can say I’m doing something good.”
Tierney’s honor will be presented at Denver City Lax’s annual fundraising gala at Empower Field at Mile High. The event supports the organization’s year-round programming in lacrosse, academics and enrichment opportunities for local youth.
“I hope people see how much he truly cares and how passionate he is about keeping the game accessible and diverse,” Law said. “He’s experienced everything you possibly can in this sport, so when he says organizations like Denver City Lax matter, it carries weight.”
For more information or to support Denver City Lax, visit their website.
