Hall of Fame
Walter Munze is one of the most respected and longest tenured lacrosse officials in New York State having officiated and served numerous officiating organizations since 1977, including 50 years in varsity lacrosse and 20 years in varsity soccer. He’s been selected to officiate in 12 NYSPHSAA Boys Lacrosse State Tournaments, numerous sectional postseason tournaments, and has been the official NYSPHSAA Boys Lacrosse Rules Interpreter for the past 30 years. Munze has also served on the NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Committee and on the USA Lacrosse Rules Committee, following a long term as the President of the Central New York Officials Association and New York State Lacrosse Officials Association. In 2024, Walter was instrumental in making New York the first state in the country to bring the shot clock to high school lacrosse as a two-year experiment. Beyond his contributions as an official, he is responsible for initiating the lacrosse programs at CBA Syracuse and East Syracuse Minoa High School in Section III. In 1968, he started one of the first ever lacrosse camps in the United States called the All American Lacrosse Camp. At the next level, he officiated in six NCAA Division 1 Lacrosse Championships and currently serves as the Regional Assignor for the Big 10, Big East and MAAC Conferences. Walt has been recognized on several occasions including being awarded the Section III Golden Whistle Award, the Section III Service Award and being inducted into the Upstate New York Lacrosse Hall of Fame. A graduate of Rye High School (Section I), Munze earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from SUNY Cortland.