Women's Lacrosse | 5/11/2023 1:35:00 PM
ROCHESTER, NY – The Nazareth Athletics Department is pleased to announce longtime women's lacrosse coach Traci Lian's elevation to Associate Athletic Director, a newly appointed position. Lian will relinquish her women's lacrosse head coaching duties and assistant Diana Schmitt will take over leading the program as announced by Nazareth Athletics Director, Pete Bothner.
In the new role, Lian will oversee compliance and most of the internal operations activities.
"I am very appreciative of job Traci did leading the women's lacrosse program for 15 years," said Bothner. "I know she will bring the same level of professionalism and energy to her new role. She has demonstrated strong administrative acumen while previously still in her coaching role. I'm looking forward to this new opportunity for her."
Lian vacates the women's lacrosse program after compiling a 135-102 record in 15 seasons. Her coaching career, which began with six seasons at SUNY Brockport, has 197 wins and 133 losses with a .597 winning percentage. During her tenure behind the bench, Lian's program made the Empire 8 tournament in all 14 seasons (no Empire 8 tournament was played in 2020) and appeared in the finals in each of the last three seasons.
Schmitt takes over the helm after serving as Nazareth's assistant coach for the past two seasons. The Fairport, NY native brings five years of coaching experience to Nazareth after playing Division II Lacrosse at Mercyhurst University in Pennsylvania. Upon arriving at Nazareth in August of 2021, Schmitt assisted in planning, goalie training, draw control technique and strategy, along with offensive and defensive strategies on game day. She also was heavily involved in scouting, recruiting, and social media promotion of the team.
Prior to Nazareth, Schmitt was a graduate assistant coach at Springfield College.
"Diana has shown a strong commitment to Nazareth since arriving a few years ago," said Bothner. "She is well respected by the team and I am excited for her to grow into the head coaching role."
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