US Lacrosse Magazine has partnered with Blaxers Blog to produce a series of stories that illuminate the minority lacrosse experience and promote the accomplishments of those individuals who have defied stereotypes to succeed in the sport.

Read more about Blaxers Blog and the content partnership here.

Compared to their men’s counterparts, women’s lacrosse coaches play an even larger role in nurturing Black representation. Many people are unaware of Black coaching figures in women’s lacrosse due to low visibility. The number of women’s lacrosse programs has rapidly blossomed in recent years; however, the minuscule number of Black coaching opportunities in women’s lacrosse somehow remains stagnant.

According to NCAA Demographic Database archives, Black head and assistant coaches only made up just under 3 percent (12 head coaches, 22 assistants) of the 1,353 coaches at 520 total women’s lacrosse programs in 2019. Black women accounted for 2 percent of the national coaches total (10 head coaches and 15 assistants). Black men accounted for 1 percent of the national coaches total (two head coaches, seven assistants). 

“The few black coaches that have come before me have set a standard that I have to continue to build and live up to,” Cincinnati’s Gina Thomas (Oliver) said. “I also feel that it is important for young women who look like me to feel they can be a head coach in whatever sport they are passionate about. For them to see it … MATTERS!”

Nicolette Dungee from Chowan shared a similar sentiment.

“I feel blessed, but I also sometimes feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders,” Dungee said. “The anxieties of do I belong, or why is my journey so different? Sometimes it takes a text message to be reminded of why you were put in this position.”

Dwayne Hicks speaks from experience.

“I have been a Black head coach for more than thirty years,” Detroit Mercy’s Dwayne Hicks said. “The position comes with great responsibility, not only to succeed but to prove that you have the skills and the knowledge to do the job. And even though I have that incredible pressure on me, I feel very fortunate that I get to walk out on a field every day and coach this great game.”

Below, we celebrate the accomplishments of the Black women’s lacrosse coaches across the NCAA.

Division I

Gina Thomas (Oliver), Cincinnati

Oliver has guided the Cincinnati lacrosse program since 2013. In 2019, Oliver led the Bearcats to their best season in program history with a 12-7 record, including a postseason debut and runner-up finish in the inaugural American Athletic Conference championship game. Oliver has produced five all-conference talents and a 2016 IWLCA All-Region winner. In 2018, Cincinnati led the NCAA in ground balls (501) and ground balls per game (29.47). Oliver is a two-time FIL World Cup gold medalist (2009, 2013) and was named to the 2009 All-World Team as a defender. As a player, Oliver was a three-time All-American at Ohio State (2002-05), the 2003 American Lacrosse Conference Player of the Year and a four-time All-ALC selection. After graduating in 2005, Oliver finished as Ohio State’s all-time leader in ground balls (236) and caused turnovers (201). Oliver was named to the 2020 Ohio Lacrosse Hall of Fame Class and serves as a member of the NCAA Rules Committee.

Pamella Jenkins, Delaware State

Since 2019, Jenkins has led the Delaware State Hornets. During the shortened 2020 season, Jenkins mentored seven Southern Conference honor roll members and two SoCon Commissioner’s Medal recipients. Before arriving at the HBCU, Jenkins served as head coach at Notre Dame College (2016-19). Jenkins helped Notre Dame College earn eight MEC All-Academic honors and one All-Mountain East first-team selection. Jenkins played at Hartwick College (1998-99) and American University (1999-2000). In 1998, Hartwick’s Office of U.S. Pluralism Programs named Jenkins its woman student-athlete of the year.

Read more about Jenkins’ accomplishments in this post from Blaxers Blog.

Dwayne Hicks, Detroit Mercy

On May 19, Hicks was promoted from interim to Detroit Mercy’s fifth head coach in program history. Hicks previously served as an assistant coach of Detroit Mercy’s men’s lacrosse team (2017-19). Before arriving at Detroit Mercy, Hicks coached at the collegiate club level with Oakland University (2001-2005), Eastern Michigan (2006-08), and Michigan State (2009-12). Hicks was named National Coach of the Year twice, once as head coach of the men’s team at Michigan State (2011) and the other as the assistant coach of the Oakland women’s team (2013). Hicks also played and coached professionally in the England Lacrosse Union and won a national championship with the Timperley Rebels. As a Michigan lacrosse pioneer, Hicks has more than 45 years of lacrosse experience as a player and coach.

Elaine Jones, Longwood

Jones has served as Longwood’s head coach since 2013. Under Jones’ tenure, Longwood has produced 19 All-Big South honorees and the 2016 Big South Defensive Player of the Year in Shiloh McKenzie. Jones has led the Lancers to six Big South quarterfinal appearances, a 2019 Big South semifinal appearance and two top-three finishes. In 2013, Jones coached Longwood to its best season ever, as the Lancers had a 10-win season and a 5-2 Big South record. Before arriving at Longwood, Jones coached 12 seasons at UC Davis, earning 97 wins with six winning seasons. Jones also guided UC Davis to three straight seasons with top-five NCAA Division II national ranking (2002-04). Jones mentored eight All-Americans, 18 All-MPSF selections and 37 Academic All-MPSF honorees. As a player, Jones was a two-time All-American at Virginia and a 1991 national champion who appeared in four straight NCAA tournaments. She would later play four years on the Elite Squad of the U.S. National Team.

Division II

Nicolette Dungee, Chowan

Since 2019, Dungee has led the Chowan Hawks. After the shortened 2020 season, Dungee mentored eight All-Conference Carolinas players. Dungee also served a previous stint at LaGrange College (2016-18), where she helped the Panthers increase their win total from one in 2016 to six in 2018. Before her debut in the college coaching circuit, Dungee served as head coach at Norfolk Collegiate High School (2015) and produced four All-Region athletes. As a player, Dungee was a two-time All-Conference awardee and four-year starter at Tennessee Wesleyan. 

Tommy Kelly, Davis & Elkins

Since the 2019 season, Kelley has coached at Davis & Elkins. In 2019, Kelly helped Davis & Elkins break program records for wins (11), winning percentage (.647) and conference wins (three). Kelly held a previous stint at Slippery Rock as an assistant coach (2015-17) and graduate assistant (2013-14) after ending his college basketball career there (2008-11). Kelley helped Slippery Rock earn three-straight winning seasons, going 12-6 in 2017 with 9-8 marks in both 2015 and 2016. 

Division III

Liz Geyer, Bethany

Geyer has led Bethany since its inaugural season in 2019. Geyer held a previous stint at Concordia University-Chicago (2015-17), where she served as a graduate assistant coach. Geyer played two seasons each at Bridgewater (2011-12) and McDaniel College (2013-14), respectfully. Geyer was a member of McDaniel’s 2013 ECAC championship runner-up team.

Ashley Holdridge, Cedar Crest

Since 2019, Holdridge has served as head coach at Cedar Crest. After the 2020 season, Holdridge mentored eight CSAC Spring All-Sportsmanship Team members. Holdridge was a former four-letter goalie (2013-16), MAAC All-Academic player, MAAC Rookie Team member and Arthur Ashe Jr. Scholar Award winner at Siena.

Abigail Jackson, Union (N.Y.)

Since 2011, Jackson has mentored Union College’s program. Prior to the shortened 2020 season, Jackson led Union to the second-best all-time win total in program history. 2015 was an eventful season, as Jackson guided Union to a 13-4 record, the Liberty League championship, a second-round appearance in the NCAA Division III tournament and groomed the Liberty League Player of the Year in Maggie Comiskey. Before arriving at Union, Jackson was head coach at Roger Williams (2009-10) and led the team to three straight TCCC championship games and a notable 14-5 record in 2010. At Plymouth State (2006-08), Jackson won the 2007 ECAC New England Championship with a 14-5 record. Before graduating in 2003, Jackson was a three-sport athlete at Williams College as the Ephs became 2000 NCAA Division III runners up and 1999 Final Four finalists.

Kirkland Lewis, Whitman

Since the 2018 season, Lewis has guided the Whitman lacrosse program. Under her tenure at Whitman, Lewis has coached 12 All-Northwest Conference players and two IWLCA All-Region awardees. Lewis had a previous stint as UDC’s assistant coach (2016-17), defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator. Lewis helped the UDC Firebirds earn their first program win in 2017. Lewis played three seasons at Old Dominion (2009-11) and then in Delaware State’s inaugural season as a team captain in 2012.