Hall of Fame Hopkins Goalie Mike ‘Piggy’ Federico – LGR Episode #97

The run of legendary Hopkins goalies on this podcast continues this week with Mike Federico.

One of the top goalies in college lacrosse in the last 25 years, Federico led Johns Hopkins to three straight NCAA Championships in 1978, 1979, and 1980.

A member of the All-Time Johns Hopkins Team and the NCAA Silver Anniversary Team, Federico was a three-time First Team All-American and a three-time recipient of the C. Markland Kelly Award as the nation’s top goalie.

At the time, he was just the second goalie in history to win the Kelly Award three times. Enjoyed some of his finest game in the NCAA Tournament as he held six of nine opponents to less than 10 goals and gave up just 22 goals in three games during the 1979 tournament.

In 1999 Federico was inducted into the Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

He was selected as Most Valuable Player of the 1979 NCAA championship game. In 1980, he played for the South team in the North/South Collegiate All-Star game. He was awarded Hopkins’ William C. Schmeisser Award for defense in 1980.

Even though Federico best years in goal are well behind him, when you listen to him talk about this position and this sport in general you can certainly still feel his passion.

Here’s some footage of the 1980 championship game between Hopkins and Virginia featuring Federico in goal. Hopkins wins it in double OT. Mark Greenberg, Lance Schneck, Dave Black, Marty Bergin, and Mike Federico – that was one hell of a defense.