Iona College Director of Athletics Shawn Brennan announced the appointment of Lauren Rywak as the first-ever women's lacrosse head coach on Sept. 3, 2003.
Rywak, 27, held the distinction of being the youngest NCAA Division I head coach in any sport at the age of 23. She came to Iona after a one-year stint of coaching at the English Lacrosse Association in Westmindlands, England. Having coached since high school at various programs, camps and clinics, Rywak headed to George Mason University in Virginia where she played four years of Division I Lacrosse. She was co-captain her senior year and started as the defensive third man. During her fifth year of college, Rywak served as the W.T. Woodson High School girl's lacrosse junior varsity team head coach, as well as the defensive coach for the varsity squad that won the Virginia State Championships.
Her local ties helped make Rywak the strongest candidate for head coach. Having grown up in Suffern, NY, Rywak has played and coached around Rockland and Westchester counties. "We are pleased to appoint Lauren as the first-ever women's lacrosse coach," said Brennan. "We feel that all of her playing and coaching experiences make her an exceptional person to lead this program through its initial stages. Her strong ties to the local lacrosse community and experience coaching abroad will serve her well as she builds this program from the ground up."
The Gaels have quickly improved in their two years of existence. In the inaugural 2004 campaign, Iona went 3-13, with the first win in program history coming on Mar. 17, 2004 against Queens University of Charlotte. In 2005, Rywak guided the team to a 5-11 mark, including the first ever conference win on Apr. 8, 2005 against Siena.
The women's lacrosse team plays their home games at Mazzella Field, also the home of the Iona College football and soccer teams. The Gaels are part of the MAAC Lacrosse League and will join other member schools: Marist, Manhattan, Canisius, Siena, Fairfield, Niagra and associate member LeMoyne College.
