The Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) held its 2017 Honors Banquet today at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The event kicked off the organization’s 2017 Annual Meetings, providing the membership with the opportunity to honor those that have contributed to the women’s collegiate game during the past year. The event was hosted by Missy Doherty, head coach at Pennsylvania State University, who served as the master of ceremonies.
"The Honors Banquet is a great way to start the Annual Meetings," said Kathy Taylor, head coach at Le Moyne College and IWLCA President. "Celebrating our members for their achievements during the past year sets a really positive tone and reminds everyone how incredibly talented a membership we have."
The first honorees were those earning Victory Club recognition for achieving milestone victories during the 2017 season. Eleven coaches were recognized for their 100th career victory, while five coaches were celebrated for achieving their 200th career win, and another three reach the 300 career win milestone. Gettysburg College’s Carol Cantele became just the fourth member of the 400 Career Win Victory Club.
100 Career Wins
Lyndsey Boswell – High Point University
Tom Campolettano – Molloy College
George Chis-Luca – Philadelphia University
Jack Cribbin – Lindenwood University
Lindsay Delaney – Rowan University
Sue Estabrook – University of New England
Josh Hexter – Elon University
Kelly Lickert-Orr – SUNY Cortland
Linda Michele – St. John Fisher College
Shaun Williamson – Ashland University
200 Career Wins
Amy Bokker – Stanford University
Karin Corbett – University of Pennsylvania
Liz Grote – Bowdoin College
Liza Kelly – University of Denver
Caitlin Roberts – Curry College
300 Career Wins
Jenny Levy – University of North Carolina
Chris Mason – Williams College
Julie Myers – University of Virginia
400 Career Wins
Carol Cantele – Gettysburg College
Three assistant coaches were honored with the Assistant Coach of the Year Award (previously announced on November 2, 2017). The University of Pennsylvania’s Kerri Whitaker (Division I), Mercy College’s Joe Corace (Division II), and Samantha Keary from University of Redlands (Division III) were presented with their awards by their head coaches.
The next award was the Team Community Awareness Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions by one team from each division on their campus and in their local community. This year, teams from Marquette University (Division I), Limestone College (Division II), and Utica College (Division III) were honored.
Princeton University Head Coach Chris Sailer was presented with the IWLCA Service Award, which honors an individual that have committed themselves to the betterment of the IWLCA during the past year. Sailer was presented by Danie Caro, IWLCA Director of Communications and Membership Operations, who worked closely with the Hall of Fame Committee to plan the inaugural event. “The enormity of what the committee accomplished under Chris’ leadership cannot be overstated,” Caro said. “They essentially took something that was just an idea in late February, and developed it into a fully realized event in less than nine months. That does not happen by accident, and is a testament to her commitment to the organization and its mission.”
The inaugural IWLCA Hall of Fame class will be inducted on Thursday, November 16 during a stand-alone event held in conjunction with the Annual Meetings. Sailer explained her record of service: “It was my pleasure to chair the Hall of Fame Committee that selected the inaugural IWLCA Hall of Fame Class. I have enjoyed serving the coaches organization in many different capacities over my career.” She continued, adding, “It was an honor to work on this committee that established the criteria, nomination guidelines and selection process for the Hall of Fame. I was fortunate to have a great committee of coaches to work with, every one of whom readily agreed to serve. I think we all felt compelled by the mission of this committee and the opportunity to honor career excellence among our coaching peers.”
The 2017 IWLCA Regional and National Coaches of the Year for all three divisions (previously announced on July 12, 2017) received their awards. Acacia Walker (Boston College), Pat McCabe (Adelphi University), and Carol Cantele (Gettysburg College) were honored as the Division I, II, and III National Coaches of the Year respectively.
Regional Coaches of the Year – Division I
Joe Spallina – Stony Brook University
Cindy Timchal – United States Naval Academy
Ann Elliott – University of Colorado
Acacia Walker – Boston College
Regional Coaches of the Year – Division II
Pat McCabe – Adelphi University
Jack Cribbin – Lindenwood University
Regional Coaches of the Year – Division III
Kim Williams – Wesleyan University
Sharon Pfluger – The College of New Jersey
Brooke Diamond O’Brien – Washington and Lee University
Anne Phillips – William Smith College
Lynda McCandlish – Oberlin College
Carol Cantele – Gettysburg College
Karen Henning – Colby College
Susan Stuart Elliott – Colorado College
The final award presented was the IWLCA’s marquee honor, the Diane Geppi-Aikens Memorial Award. The award is named in honor of the legendary Loyola coach whose courageous battle with cancer inspired the nation, and recognizes lifetime achievement to the women’s college game. Sharon Pfluger, head coach at The College of New Jersey was presented with the award by Williams College head coach Alice Lee.
"Sharon Pfluger is arguably one of the most prolific coaches in women's lacrosse history,” Lee said. “Words can't do justice for what she has accomplished in the record books, but what's equally as impressive is how her teams embody sportsmanship and humility before, during, and after a match. Sharon has left an indelible mark on women's lacrosse and is incredibly deserving of the Diane Geppi Aikens lifetime achievement award."
Unfortunately Pfluger was not able to attend the event to receive the award, as she is with her team in Louisville for the NCAA Division III Field Hockey championship, However, she sent a pre-recorded acceptance speech, and her son, Augie Pfluger accepted the award on her behalf. "Diane was an incredible educator of our awesome sport of lacrosse, and of life,” Pfluger said. I feel extremely humbled to be the recipient of this honor in her memory."