Augustana is still in the process of finding a new coach for women’s lacrosse. This search coming after the resignation of Meredith Newman this past spring.
Former women’s head lacrosse coach, Meredith Newman, left Augustana to go and coach at her alma mater Sweet Briar College.
“It was a very tough decision trying to decide what to do for my future,” Newman said. “It’s hard stepping away from such great student athletes, but there is never a good time to leave a program.”
Newman also said that there were other reasons that helped make her decision such as returning to family and friends in Virginia.
Newman said she is also returning to Sweet Briar College because it is a chance to change the school she graduated from.
“Last month, they announced they were going to close the school,” Newman said. “The school alumni fundraised enough money to recoup the damages from the previous administration. This opportunity is a chance to coach at my alma mater and be a part of a solution to rebuild the school.”
Augustana Athletic Director Mike Zapolski said the process to hire a new coach began as soon as Newman resigned and they posted job listings on to various recruitment websites.
Zapolski said the application deadline was June 13.
“I’ll be conducting interviews and hopefully we’ll have a new coach by the end of June,” Zapolski said.
Zapolski said the next coach they hire will be walking into a solid position with the current roster.
Newman left some advice for the next coach and the team.
“We did a lot of work over the past two years defining our team and our culture,” Newman said. “Even though the coach is the leader, it’s the up to the athletes to sustain the program.”
Newman also wrote a farewell letter to the team, summing up their achievements and how she taught them everything she knew about lacrosse.
“It’s time for me to go and make an impact with another group,” Newman said.