Rich D’Andrea ’01 (second from right) is inducted into the NJ Lacrosse Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in Bedminster on July 19. Pictured with D’Andrea is his father, Dan; mother, Darcy; and wife, Ericka Kapp ’98. 

Rich D’Andrea ’01, already a Peddie Sports Hall of Fame member (2021), was inducted into the New Jersey Lacrosse Foundation Hall of Fame on July 19. 

A three-year starter in goal at Peddie, D’Andrea helped the Falcons to a 44-5 record and two NJISAA Prep A Championships. He was a three-time First Team All-State Selection (’99, ’00, ’01), a two-time All-American (’00, ’01), and was twice the recipient of the Dietrich von Schwerdtner New Jersey Goalie of the Year Award (’00, ’01). In his senior campaign, the Falcons went undefeated (16-0) and earned a Top 15 national ranking. 

After a storied career at Peddie, D’Andrea protected the cage at Georgetown University and helped the Hoyas to four consecutive NCAA Division I Quarterfinal tournament appearances. He was a captain his senior year and was recognized with All-League honors. In his final two seasons at Georgetown, D’Andrea earned the Jason “Prof” Decker Unsung Hero and Coaches awards. 

Over the last decade, D’Andrea has coached lacrosse at the youth, high school, and club levels. He was the head coach at Princeton Day School from 2014 to 2018 where his teams stockpiled a 50-15 record and won two NJISAA Prep B Championships and three consecutive Mercer County Tournaments. He was twice named the Times of Trenton Coach of the Year (’16, ’17). 

D’Andrea returned to Peddie as head coach of the boys’ lacrosse program in 2021 and was recently named assistant director of admission. 

“To put it simply, I love lacrosse,” D’Andrea said earlier this year of his return to Peddie. “The game, the people, moments of big and small, loud and quiet – it’s been one of the great teachers in my life.”

D’Andrea acknowledged his Peddie mentors von Schwerdtner and head coach Bob Turco ’70 for cementing the foundation of his success on and off the field. Both “Von” and Turco are members of the Peddie and NJ Lacrosse Hall of Fames. 

Since 1997, NJ Lacrosse has selected a group of individuals to honor who, by their deeds as players, coaches, officials and/or contributors, and by the example of their lives, are worthy of recognition and induction into the Hall of Fame. 

Founded in 1864, The Peddie School is a private, independent, coeducational, boarding and day school for grades 9-12 and postgraduate located in Hightstown. To learn more, visit www.peddie.org.