DELHI, N.Y. (August 26, 2020) - Our coaches have been nothing short of extraordinary during this adverse time that all colleges are facing with regards to athletics. While hopes of a championship are far from view, the determination to still provide students a welcoming, active experience entering this year has not left our coaches' eyes. SUNY Delhi Athletics celebrates our coaches with a new feature where we'll learn about our talented coaches in three phases: before, during, and after SUNY Delhi.
Today's spotlight is on women's soccer head coach Lauren Mackay. She enters her fourth season leading the Broncos, and has guided the team to new heights during the transition to NCAA Division III. While her first squad in 2017 produced a 3-11 record, Mackay's team made an about-face in 2018 with an 11-4 record, earning her USCAA and ACAA Coach of the Year honors. The 2019 season marked their first in the North Atlantic Conference (NAC), finishing 9-7-2 and winning a conference tournament game. With the expansion of the NAC and the ability to compete for the NCAA Tournament within reach, Mackay and her Broncos have a bright future to look forward to.
BEFORE... Before I arrived at SUNY Delhi, I did not know anything about the campus or the soccer program. I learned the most about the institution and athletics programs during my research in preparation for the interview process.
DURING... Since arriving at SUNY Delhi, the women's soccer program has grown each year in successes on and off the field. The team turned around a 3-11 record in 2017 to be 11-4 in 2018 and competed for the ACAA conference title in Michigan. In 2019 the team was 9-7-2, in a fully NCAA conference, and competed for the NAC title in Maine. The team GPA average has increased from 2.87 in 2017 to 3.14 in 2019. I was fortunate to be named ACAA and USCAA Coach of the year in 2018. The team has been recognized with numerous USCAA and NAC athletes of the week, all conference and all academic awards, as well as USCAA All-Americans.
AFTER... To continue growing as a program, the next goal is to win a NAC conference title. In 2021, the opportunity to qualify and compete in the NCAA tournament will also be a reality. Off the field, the goal is always to guide student athletes to become professionals at their program of study. When students earn their degree and become employed in their field, that is success.
