Wellesley Head Lacrosse Coach Julia McPhee to Step Down

WELLESLEY, Mass. -- Wellesley College lacrosse head coach Julia McPhee will step down after ten seasons at the helm of the program, announced Director of Athletics Bridget Belgiovine on Monday, June 1. McPhee compiled an overall record of 82-81 as head coach of the Blue from 2006-2015. 

"I want to thank Julia for her ten years of teaching, coaching and service to the department and College," said Belgiovine. "It was bittersweet to accept the resignation from Coach McPhee, given her leadership of the lacrosse program and positive influence on the lives of our student-athletes.  We wish Julia and her family all the best in the years to come." 

The 2009 New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Coach of the Year, McPhee led the Blue to the NEWMAC Championship Game in both 2007 and 2008. In 2007, she coached the team to the fourth 13-win season in program history. This spring, Wellesley went 9-5 overall and 5-3 in NEWMAC play, recording the most wins for the program since McPhee's 2009 team went 9-8. Wellesley finished the regular season in third place, advancing to the NEWMAC Tournament Semifinals for the first time since 2012.

"This decision did not come easily, but I am excited for a new chapter in my life and being a full-time Mom to my three young children," said McPhee of her plans to step away from the program. "The Wellesley Lacrosse program has been near and dear to my heart for the past ten years. It has been a true honor to serve as a mentor to many young women and to be a part of their educational experience at Wellesley."

During her ten years as Wellesley's Head Lacrosse Coach and Associate Professor of the Practice, McPhee coached 11 Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) All-Region Selections, 18 NEWMAC All-Conference Selections and three NEWMAC Rookie of the Year Award winners. In addition, she taught Physical Education courses in Fusion Fitness, Boot Camp, Strength Training and Spinning.

McPhee has been an active member of the IWLCA, serving on multiple committees and presenting at the annual meeting, most recently in 2010. She served as a member of the Berkshire Regional All-American Committee for seven years, including as chair from 2008-2011, while also serving as a member of the IWLCA National All-American Committee from 2008-2011. For the past ten seasons, McPhee has also been a part of the North/South Senior All-Star Game Selection Committee. 

McPhee came to Wellesley from Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland, where she served as the Head Lacrosse Coach for one season. At Goucher, she led the Gophers to a 9-7 season and a top-20 ranking in Division III during the 2005 season. Prior to her time at Goucher, McPhee was a graduate assistant for lacrosse and field hockey at Trinity College, where she received her Master of Arts in Public Policy in 2004.

A 2002 graduate of Middlebury College and the 2002 Division III Honda Broderick Award Winner, McPhee led the Panthers to three NCAA National Championships, garnering the IWLCA Midfield Player of the Year Award in 2001 and 2002. 

"I am proud of the many accomplishments we have achieved on and off the field," noted McPhee. "I know the future is bright for Wellesley Lacrosse and I look forward to following the success of the team in years to come."