Women's Lacrosse | 12/8/2020 9:58:22 AM
Traci Lian enters her 13th season as head coach of the Nazareth College women's lacrosse team in 2020-21. In addition to her role with lacrosse, Lian also serves also serves as Nazareth's Assistant NCAA Compliance Officer. She was awarded the Nazareth President's Civic Engagement Award in 2020 and has her team involved with several community service projects.
A 2000 graduate of Nazareth, Lian has guided the Golden Flyers to an overall mark of 110-78 (including a 62-23 record in Empire 8 Conference play) with 11 berths in the Empire 8 Conference Tournament. Before the shortened 2020 season, Nazareth had enjoyed five straight seasons with double-digit victory totals. She also won 62 games as head coach at SUNY Brockport over six seasons (2003-08) and was the 2007 SUNYAC Coach of the Year.
As a student-athlete, Lian was a standout in field hockey and lacrosse at Nazareth. She was named defensive MVP in field hockey in 1999 and was team captain in lacrosse for three seasons. She was a second-team Empire 8 Conference lacrosse selection in 2000 and helped Nazareth to its first NCAA Tournament appearance that season.
Traci Lian - Today's Leaders
Coach/Administrator Name: Traci Lian
School: Nazareth College
Title: Head Women's Lacrosse Coach/Assistant NCAA Compliance Officer
Year at Current Institution: 13th Season
College Attended/Class Year: Nazareth College '00 (undergraduate); SUNY Brockport '03 (graduate)
Playing Career (if any, collegiately or professionally): Nazareth College field hockey and women's lacrosse, 1996-2000
Favorite Professional Athlete/Pro Team: Always rooting for the underdog!
Favorite TV Show: Friends
Last TV Show You Binge Watched: Ted Lasso
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Any kind with peanut butter!
Recent Community Service Projects Your Teams or Departments Have Worked On:
The Battle of the Beaks to benefit the Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong (we’ve helped raise over $142,000 in 13 years)!
How Does The Empire 8 Stand Out Among Other Conferences:
I love the focus on leadership training that the E8 provides to the student-athletes and how involved the SAAC is at the conference and national level.
Favorite Athletic Memory from Your Time as a Player in College:
Senior year, in 2000, our women's lacrosse team earned our program’s first bid to the NCAA Tournament (no Empire 8 Automatic Qualifiers back then). We upset William Smith in overtime in the first round and went on to play defending national champions, Middlebury, in the Quarterfinals. We were tied with them 4-4 at halftime before they pulled away, but it was an amazing way to end my collegiate playing career.
Favorite Memory as a Coach/Administrator at Your Current Institution:
There are big games won that I’ll always remember and look back on but I also love the time bonding with the team on our spring break trips to Florida. One that stands out the most was when we surprised the team with a trip to the beach to watch the sunset the night we arrived (first year staying near a beach and not in central Florida). I loved standing back and watching and listening to the pure joy as the team ran down to the water. It was some of their first times at the beach and I love being able to be a part of those memories. Ironically we were on that same beach watching our final sunset of the week when we got the news that COVID had ended our season in 2020. Lots of memories on that sand!
Who Was Your Biggest Mentor and Why:
Retired Athletic Director at SUNY Brockport Linda Case and current Associate Athletic Director at Brockport Susan Hoffman. I began my career in athletics working under them as a Graduate Assistant in the Sports Information Department. Not only did they take a chance on giving a young 24-year old kid an opportunity to become a head lacrosse coach, they also empowered and inspired me to continue to grow as a female in an athletic career and helped open up a world of possibilities I was not aware existed at the time for females in sports. This is why I love the quote “If you see her; you can be her.”
Most Rewarding Aspect of Being a Coach/Administrator
I love watching my players grow from teenagers during the recruiting process into adults with careers and families after their college careers are complete. It’s an amazing transformation to be a part of. I love that my family extends so far beyond my husband and kids.
What Have You Learned About Yourself as a Leader and In Your Role:
I used to think it was all about winning. If my team didn’t win a game I had failed them. Over the years, I’ve learned that every loss is a learning opportunity and those losses should be used as stepping stones to continue to improve and grow.
What Type of Leader Are You:
I feel I am a servant leader. I put a lot of trust and responsibility on my assistants and my Leadership Council to assist in making decisions collaboratively. I’m always open to learning and growing as a coach and a leader.
What Are Some Positive Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic You Have Experienced?
My husband is a football coach and in the 21 years we have been together, we have never experienced so many free nights and weekends. It’s been nice to cook and eat dinner together as a family every night and not be so rushed. Although, we are still trying to figure out what people do on weekends without sports.
How Have You Had to Adjust as a Coach or Administrator to the Pandemic?
The biggest adjustment is trying to build relationships and remain connected virtually. The pandemic is taking an emotional toll on so many of us. As a coach, I thrive on face-to-face interactions and human connections. Zooming is not the same! My team was lucky to be able to practice together in person this fall ball season. I noticed my own mood changed and lifted when I was able to be on campus and see my athletes versus when I was working from home.
One Thing Most People Do Not Know About You:
I have a huge sweet tooth and love to bake, especially Christmas cookies!
Advice for First-Year Student-Athletes:
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and step out of your comfort zone. College is a fresh opportunity to redefine who you want to be.
Advice for Graduating Student-Athletes:
Stay connected! Keep in touch with teammates and coaches. Give back to your school and your sport in whatever way possible. I love seeing former players continue to grow the game by going on to coach or officiate!
The Empire 8 Conference's “Today’s Leaders Compete Here” Series features a coach or administrator from one of its member institutions who exemplifies leadership.
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
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