Former Gettysburg Assistant Takes Over Ursinus
from press release
GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Gettysburg assistant
coach Katie Hagan '07 will take her successful resume as a player
and coach at her alma mater to new waters as the head women's
lacrosse coach at Centennial Conference rival Ursinus.
This will be Hagan's first head coaching job following her
three-year stint as an assistant with the Bullets. She follows in
the footsteps of Erin Stroble, who stepped down to take on the
full-time job of Associate Director of Athletics at Ursinus.
"I'm thrilled about this opportunity," said Hagan. "It's what you
dream about. I'm excited about the challenges ahead, and I look
forward to working with a talented group of student-athletes."
"Urinus is in a great spot," she added. "I have always enjoyed
competing against them as both a player and a coach. They are tough
competitors who respect each other and respect the game. They had a
terrific season in 2011 finishing third in the Centennial and I am
looking forward to continuing to build upon that success."
"Katie is a rising star and she will hit the ground running as soon
as she steps on to the campus," stated Gettysburg coach Carol
Cantele. "She has done her homework and she realizes that Ursinus
is a great place to be. She plans to continue to build on the
excellent athletic reputation found within the women's lacrosse
program."
Hagan takes over one of the most successful lacrosse programs in
the history of Division III. Ursinus has claimed three NCAA titles
and has appeared in the national playoffs a dozen times. The Bears
have also won three Centennial Conference championships, the last
coming in 2001.
Hagan is coming off a season in which Gettysburg claimed its first
NCAA Division III championship in women's lacrosse. The team posted
a 19-4 overall record this past spring and compiled a 53-12 mark
during her three years as a member of the staff. Under Hagan's
tutelage, five Bullets were lauded as All-Americans and nine
received all-region recognition.
As a player, the Media, Pa., native was equally as successful. From
2004 to 2007, she helped Gettysburg win 72 games, claim three
conference championships, and compete in the NCAA Tournament four
times. In 2007, she was named the Centennial Conference Player of
the Year and a first-team IWLCA All-America.
"Katie has left her mark on this program for years to come, both as
a player and as a coach," noted Cantele. "She exemplifies all that
it means to be Gettysburg GREAT! She is a fantastic teacher of the
game and has the ability to relate to the student-athletes on many
levels. She has been a tremendous mentor to the athletes, not only
in teaching them the skills and strategies of the game, but
assisting them as they develop into strong, confident young
women."
"It's bittersweet for sure," said Hagan about her departure. "I
love this place, it's been my home for seven of the last eight
years and I am sad to leave. I have grown up here and have had two
great mentors along the way, in Carol and Barb (Jordan). That being
said, Carol and Barb have done a heck of a job and I know that I am
ready for this next step, and I am very excited about my future as
a Bear."
Hagan is the fourth Gettysburg graduate currently leading a women's
lacrosse program in the Centennial Conference. In addition to her
mentor Cantele, she joins Muhlenberg College's Kristen Stuckel '95
and Washington College Julika Blankenship '04. Hagan will be aiming
to be the first Cantele pupil to score a win against her former
mentor when Ursinus visits Clark Field on Saturday, April 7, 2012.
Stuckel and Blankenship are a combined 0-15.
"I will certainly be excited and I'm sure my heart will be
pounding!," said Hagan. "I can't wait to compete against
Gettysburg. If Carol Cantele has taught me anything, it's to be a
competitor. I'm looking forward to the challenge."
