“Jay is simply one of the most talented and dynamic players I have had the great pleasure to work with in my 40 years of coaching college lacrosse,” said Virginia men’s lacrosse head coach Dom Starsia. “He was that rare combination of size, quickness and superb skills. An All-American attackman in his second year, Jay made the move to midfield and became the USILA Midfielder of the Year while leading the 1999 University of Virginia team to its first NCAA title in 27 years. We have remained in close contact through the years and everyone associated with Virginia Lacrosse stands a little taller while considering Jay’s induction in to the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame. This is a fitting recognition of a remarkable career.”
Jalbert currently is the vice president of production services and director of Jalbert Productions International. Jalbert created and produced the ESPN opening that is currently being used for the 2014 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championships. His group also produced a two-part documentary, titled “There and Back: All-Access with Virginia Lacrosse,” in 2012 on UVa’s quest to repeat as national champions. The two episodes aired on ESPNU in the month of May 2012, leading up to the NCAA Tournament.
Virginia Connections in 2014 Hall of Fame Class
Also being inducted along with Jalbert is Stan Cockerton, the father of 2014 UVa senior Mark Cockerton. Stan Cockerton’s two sons, Matt (2010-13) and Mark (2011-14) graduated from the University of Virginia and were four-year letterwinners for the Cavaliers, and members of UVa’s 2011 NCAA title team. Stan Cockerton (193) finished his college career at NC State with more goals than anyone in the history of college lacrosse and his 4.39 goals per game is still an NCAA record. Mark Cockerton concluded his UVa career with 125 career goals, good for No. 8 all-time in the Cavalier record books. He passed Jalbert during UVa’s April 5 game at North Carolina. With 318 career goals, Stan and Mark Cockerton are the highest goal-scoring father/son duo in NCAA history.
To be eligible for the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame, a player must have had at least 10 years pass from their scheduled graduation year and be retired from the game.
The National Lacrosse Hall of Fame, a program of US Lacrosse, was established in 1957 to honor men and women who by their deeds as players, coaches, officials and/or contributors, and by the example of their lives, personify the great contribution of lacrosse to our way of life. More than 380 lacrosse greats are honored in the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame, which is located with the Lacrosse Museum at US Lacrosse Headquarters in Baltimore.