July 2, 2002 Harrisonburg, VA ? Georgetown University assistant coach Kellie Young has been named head coach of the James Madison University?s women?s lacrosse program. Young replaces Jennifer Ulehla who resigned at the end of the 2002 season after eight seasons at the helm of the Dukes.
Young recently wrapped up her fourth season on the Hilltop as the top assistant women?s lacrosse coach. She has been instrumental in Georgetown?s rise into one of the elite women?s lacrosse programs in the nation. Young helped lead the Hoyas to the NCAA Championships in each of her four seasons, including back-to-back appearances in the National Championship Game in 2001 and 2002. She contributed to the development of goalkeeper Bowen Holden, ?01, and defender Caitlin McLean, ?01, into All-Americans and National Players of the Year. Young was involved in all aspects of the Hoya lacrosse program, from scouting and recruiting to practice preparation, game plans and individual workouts with players. She has helped lead the GU program to a 57-16 overall record, for a .781 winning percentage, since joining the Hoyas four years ago.
Georgetown women?s lacrosse head coach Kim Simons is excited for Young, but also acknowledges the GU program will miss her presence. Coach Simons? comments, ?Kellie has been my right hand for the past four years. She has been a big factor in Georgetown?s success and will be missed, however, I know that Kellie will do an outstanding job at James Madison and I look forward to watching her put her stamp on the Dukes? program. We wish her all the best.?
A defensive specialist, Young arrived at Georgetown in the fall of 1998 with a wealth of coaching experience. After two seasons with nationally ranked Amherst College, Young became the head coach for both the women?s soccer and lacrosse programs at Sweet Briar College. In two years at Sweet Briar, Young also served as Assistant Director of Athletics, Sports Information Director and Assistant Professor.
Young is a 1993 graduate of Mount Holyoke College with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Women?s Studies. An outstanding college athlete, she earned nine varsity letters across four sports. A two-time captain and four year starter for the soccer team, Young earned All-Conference honors as a sweeper. Looking for a new challenge, she learned the game of lacrosse as a college sophomore and started at line defense for the Lyons. Her junior and senior years, Young earned All-Conference, All-Tournament and First Team Regional All-America honors. A co-captain her senior year, Young helped lead Mount Holyoke to a pair of championship titles in the Seven Sisters Tournament and NEW 8 Conference, as well as a bid to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Tournament. Their 1993 record of 13-4 remains the best mark in the school?s history. Upon graduation, Young received the Ruth C. Timm Award as lacrosse player of the year and the Athletic Director?s Award for service to Mount Holyoke athletics and the local community.
In 1997, Young earned a Master of Science in Sport Management from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Currently, Young serves US Lacrosse as Vice President, Post Collegiate Club Representative, and Competitions Chairperson on the Women?s Division Board of Governors. Young is a member of the US National Team.
Young takes over a JMU program that struggled during the 2002 season. The Dukes missed out on making the 2002 NCAA Women?s Lacrosse Tournament, posting an 8-10 overall record and a 5-3 mark in Colonial Athletic Association play. Prior to the 2002 season, Ulehla directed James Madison to six NCAA Tournament appearances and three conference titles.
