Fredonia Sports Information Department
FREDONIA, N.Y. – Marykate Edmunds is the new head coach of the Fredonia Blue Devil women's lacrosse team, the university athletic director announced today following a comprehensive national job search.
"It is clear," Fredonia Director of Athletics Jerry Fisk said, "that Marykate Edmunds possesses a passion for the game, an ability to connect with and motivate student-athletes, and an understanding and respect for the tradition of Fredonia women's lacrosse. Just as importantly, she clearly understands and can articulate the importance of academics in the lives of our student-athletes, a very important understanding that will enable great success with the program."
"I am honored," Edmunds said, "to be chosen as the next head coach for the Fredonia women's lacrosse program and want to thank Jerry and the search committee for the opportunity. I am excited to be joining a program that has a history of excellence and look forward to building towards such feats in the future. I am thrilled to become a member of the SUNY Fredonia community and can't wait to become immersed in its culture."
Edmunds is a May 2014 graduate of St. John Fisher College, where she was a four-year starter on the women's lacrosse team. A standout defender, Edmunds was a three-time Empire 8 all-conference selection and twice made the conference all-tournament team. The Cardinals won three Empire 8 titles, one ECAC Upstate title, and made three NCAA Division 3 appearances while she was a member of the team.
Her coaching career began in January 2015 when she took on two assignments: girls varsity head coach at New Hartford (N.Y.) High School and volunteer assistant coach at SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica, N.Y. She gave up the high school position after one season to concentrate on her work at SUNY Poly. With her as assistant coach, the Wildcats responded by winning their first Northeast Athletic Conference title in 2016, resulting in an NCAA appearance, and setting a program record for wins in consecutive seasons.
She returned to her collegiate alma mater, St. John Fisher, to join the staff of Linda Michele in August 2016. The Cardinals won Empire 8 titles and made NCAA appearances in 2017 and 2018. The 2017 team was ranked seventh in the nation in defense while six players made all-conference. Seven Cardinals made the Empire 8 all-conference team in 2018.
"Marykate," Michele said, "is a hard-working, committed, and organized individual who loves the game and the opportunity to share her love with other young women."
"I'm excited," Fisk said, "to have a coach with Marykate's energy and pedigree lead the Blue Devil lacrosse team. I would like to thank the search committee and all involved in the process for their work in helping secure such a strong candidate."
Edmunds holds two college degrees – a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management from St. John Fisher and a Master of Arts in Athletic Administration from Concordia University-Irvine in Irvine, Calif.
