Carl Nissen - CT Lacrosse Hall of Fame

Carl Nissen was New Canaan High School’s first All-American player.  He played a crucial role in leading NCHS’s transition from a club sport to a varsity sport in 1974. A two-year captain and dominant offensive player, he graduated from NCHS in 1976 and went on to play at Princeton University, where he was also a captain.  His senior year, he played in the USILA North-South Game. After graduating from Princeton, he coached in New Canaan at the youth and high school level in addition to coaching three years (1981-1984) of college lacrosse at Hobart University under Hall of Fame Coach Dave Urick.

Carl then attended the University of Connecticut Medical School, graduating in 1990 with a specialty in Orthopedic Sports Medicine, and followed that with a University of Connecticut fellowship in his specialty. Since completing his fellowship in 1996, he has served as team physician and consultant for numerous area youth organizations, high schools, and colleges, including Trinity College, Quinnipiac University, and UConn. He recently volunteered and was selected as Orthopedic Physician for the U.S. Women’s National Team that will compete in the Federation of International Lacrosse 2017 Senior World Cup in Guildford, Surrey, England.

In 2013, Carl was inducted into the Connecticut Lacrosse Hall of Fame as “a truly great and pioneering player and continuing major contributor to the game.” His introduction speech was given by 2011 Hall of Fame Inductee Howard Benedict, who described Carl as "one of the best players ever to play in New Canaan.”