Hartford Women's Lacrosse to Withdraw from America East Competition This Season
The University of Hartford's Department of Athletics leadership, in collaboration with the women’s lacrosse coaching staff, has made the difficult decision to withdraw the University of Hartford women's lacrosse team from America East Conference competition for this coming season.
“The safety and support of our student-athletes is our number one priority as we evaluate the program this semester,” explains Sharon Beverly, PhD, acting vice president of athletics and recreation. “This team has really come together to support one another and I know this is a disappointing decision for them. We will work with our coaching staff and team to identify meaningful opportunities of engagement to support women’s lacrosse in every way possible.”
Last week, Hawks’ women’s lacrosse welcomed Jen Nardi as its new head coach. Nardi and her new assistant coach are committed to building the program in the years ahead.
“While not competing in the conference this year is an extremely difficult decision to make, it is in the best interest of our student-athlete’s health and well-being,” Nardi says. “I’m excited to be here at Hartford and we look forward to recruiting and planning for a successful return to competition next year.”
Nardi spent the past four years at the helm of the women’s lacrosse program at Manhattanville College in Purchase, N.Y. Previously, she was the head coach at Smith College from 2012-14. In her first season, Nardi led the Pioneers to the finals of the ECAC New England Region Championship for the first time in program history. She was named Smith's Coach of the Year after finishing that season with the most wins in a single season in program history.
"We are excited to have secured an experienced and exceptional coach and assistant coach,” Beverly says. "I could not be prouder of how the women’s lacrosse program has participated and engaged in these efforts.”
The new coaching staff has also been bolstered by the addition of Elizabeth Morrison, who arrives at UHart after spending four years as assistant coach for women’s lacrosse and field hockey at nearby Trinity College. Morrison is a 2018 graduate of the College of New Jersey, where she played four years of lacrosse and was the first-ever four-time Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Division III First-Team All-American.
Women’s lacrosse had its inaugural season of intercollegiate competition at UHart in 2018.
“The safety and support of our student-athletes is our number one priority as we evaluate the program this semester,” explains Sharon Beverly, PhD, acting vice president of athletics and recreation. “This team has really come together to support one another and I know this is a disappointing decision for them. We will work with our coaching staff and team to identify meaningful opportunities of engagement to support women’s lacrosse in every way possible.”
Last week, Hawks’ women’s lacrosse welcomed Jen Nardi as its new head coach. Nardi and her new assistant coach are committed to building the program in the years ahead.
“While not competing in the conference this year is an extremely difficult decision to make, it is in the best interest of our student-athlete’s health and well-being,” Nardi says. “I’m excited to be here at Hartford and we look forward to recruiting and planning for a successful return to competition next year.”
Nardi spent the past four years at the helm of the women’s lacrosse program at Manhattanville College in Purchase, N.Y. Previously, she was the head coach at Smith College from 2012-14. In her first season, Nardi led the Pioneers to the finals of the ECAC New England Region Championship for the first time in program history. She was named Smith's Coach of the Year after finishing that season with the most wins in a single season in program history.
"We are excited to have secured an experienced and exceptional coach and assistant coach,” Beverly says. "I could not be prouder of how the women’s lacrosse program has participated and engaged in these efforts.”
The new coaching staff has also been bolstered by the addition of Elizabeth Morrison, who arrives at UHart after spending four years as assistant coach for women’s lacrosse and field hockey at nearby Trinity College. Morrison is a 2018 graduate of the College of New Jersey, where she played four years of lacrosse and was the first-ever four-time Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Division III First-Team All-American.
Women’s lacrosse had its inaugural season of intercollegiate competition at UHart in 2018.