VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. --- Virginia Wesleyan University has turned to an experienced head coach to lead its women's lacrosse program with the announcement of 2017 USA South Coach of the Year Kendyl Clarkson as the new Marlin mentor.
According to Joanne Renn, Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Clarkson was chosen following an extensive national search. "Coach Clarkson is widely respected in the profession as an outstanding recruiter, tactician and coach and was a nationally prominent player as an undergraduate," Renn said. "Her enthusiasm for the sport is contagious and we look forward to her bringing her many experiences to Virginia Beach."
Clarkson comes to Virginia Wesleyan after four successful seasons as head coach at Methodist University in North Carolina – rebuilding a program and winning 32 games. A native of Painted Post N.Y., she was a four-year starter at Buffalo State and was a national leader in numerous statistical categories. After graduation, she served as an assistant coach at NCAA Division I St. Bonaventure University.
She assumed the helm of Methodist University in 2013, inheriting a dismal 1-11 Monarch squad. MU won five games in her first season and she was 27-20 during the next three seasons. Her 2017 team had five first or second team all-conference selections.
As a player, Clarkson was a four-time all-conference selection at Buffalo State, was three times named all-region, and earned IWLCA All-America honors as a junior. Twice she led NCAA Division III in assists per game (2010, 2011). Her 88 assists in 2012 led the country and tied the NCAA Div. III mark for most assists in a season. That same year, she helped lead the Bengals to their first-ever NCAA Tournament, where they advanced to the second round. For her career, she finished with 385 points, a total that ranks 11th all-time in NCAA Division III and second all-time at Buffalo State.
Virginia Wesleyan University competes in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC), one of the nation's largest Division III conferences. The 16-member ODAC, including two associate members, stands as the second-largest multi-sport NCAA Division III conference in the country.
The Marlins compete at Birdsong Field, a modern lighted artificial turf complex, constructed in 2015.
--- This release is courtesy of the Virginia Wesleyan University sports information office. ---
www.vwuathletics.com