Wellesley Athletics Names Lauren Schoenberger Head Lacrosse Coach

WELLESLEY, Mass. -- Wellesley College Director of Athletics and Chair of the Physical Education and Recreation Department Bridget Belgiovine has officially announced the hiring of Lauren Schoenberger as Head Lacrosse Coach and Assistant Professor of the Practice on July 7, 2015. In addition to serving as head lacrosse coach, Schoenberger will assist in the development of a comprehensive student-athlete leadership development program and teach within the physical education curriculum.

"We are very excited that Lauren will join the Wellesley Athletics program as our next head lacrosse coach and a member of our faculty," said Belgiovine. "Her commitment to the student-athlete experience coupled with her knowledge of the game of lacrosse as a player and coach make her a great fit for our program."

Schoenberger joins Wellesley after spending the last three seasons at Ithaca College in Ithaca, N.Y., serving as a graduate assistant coach during the 2013 season before joining head coach Shannon McHale's staff as a full-time assistant in 2014. Schoenberger helped guide the Bombers to a record of 35-20 over the past three seasons while making three consecutive appearances in the Empire 8 Championship Game. That success helped the IC coaching staff earn back-to-back Empire 8 Conference Coaching Staff of the Year Awards in 2013 and 2014.

"I am excited to work for such a prestigious institution where competitive athletics meets academic achievement, said Schoenberger. "I look forward to continuing the growth of the lacrosse program and coaching the highly motivated women at Wellesley College. I would like to thank Bridget Belgiovine for the opportunity to join the Wellesley team. It is an honor to be a part of the school's tradition of excellence."

While at Ithaca, Schoenberger also implemented an academic progress plan for lacrosse student-athletes and this past year worked with colleagues on the formation of a student-athlete leadership development program. A co-advisor of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), she assisted with home event management for field hockey and soccer and taught physical activity, leisure and safety classes in personal fitness and badminton.

Prior to arriving at Ithaca, Schoenberger coached from 2009-2012 for the Lady Roc Lacrosse Club in Rochester, N.Y. She has also worked as a camp coach, most recently at the University of Connecticut and Top of of the Class Women's Lacrosse Camps in 2014.

A 2012 graduate of American University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Schoenberger was a four-year member of the Eagles' lacrosse program, serving as associate captain during the 2009-2010 season. She earned a place on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll in 2009 and 2010 and a spot on the Patriot League All-Academic Team in 2011. An active member of SAAC from 2009-2012, Schoenberger was SAAC President during the 2011-12 academic year as well as a student-athlete representative on the Alcohol and Other Drug Task Force Committee.

Schoenberger is a member of the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) and recently participated in the NCAA Women Coaches Academy (WCA), a five day educational training for coaches of all experience levels. She will receive her Master's in Exercise and Sport Science-Sport Psychology from Ithaca College this summer.