July 15, 2009

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University Director of Athletics Troy Austin has announced the recent appointment of Missy Ackerman as the school's new Women's Lacrosse Head Coach.  She previously was an assistant coach with the Lancers since 2007.  Ackerman had previously been a head coach at her alma mater, Sweet Briar (2002-06), as well as at Randolph-Macon (1996-2002) and Earlham (Ind.) (1991-96).  She has served as owner and president of Merestead Sports Camps (field hockey, lacrosse) in Richmond since 2004 as well.  Ackerman replaces Janet Grubbs who retired last month after 15 years (1995-2009) with the program.
    
“Missy is a quality person, an experienced leader, and she has a tremendous passion for development of student-athletes,” said Austin.  “I am delighted that she has accepted the Head Coach's position and decided to remain in the Longwood Athletics family.”
    
Ackerman was an assistant coach for field hockey at Sweet Briar, and was the head coach for field hockey while at Randolph-Macon (1996-2001).  She was the head coach for field hockey at Earlham as well.  Ackerman was an assistant coach for both field hockey and women's lacrosse at Smith (Mass.) (1988-90).  Additionally, she served as a graduate assistant for women's athletics at St. Cloud (Minn.) (1990-91) as a master of science degree candidate in athletic administration.  Ackerman earned Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Coach of the Year honors in women's lacrosse three times (1999, 2000, 2005), and in field hockey two times (1996, 1999), while also the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Coach of the Year in field hockey in 1991.
    
“I am looking forward to the challenges of further developing the Longwood program,” said Ackerman.  “We have an outstanding returning team that is committed to improving and competing each time they step onto the field.  There is great energy and enthusiasm around this team and Longwood University and I am fortunate to be a part of it.”
    
A native of York, Maine, Ackerman earned All-America honors in both field hockey and women's lacrosse as a senior at Sweet Briar in 1986-87.  She was the ODAC Player of the Year in both sports during her senior year, and earned All-ODAC honors for three years in field hockey (1984-86) and two years in women's lacrosse (1986-87).  Ackerman earned her bachelor of science degree in history from Sweet Briar in 1987.
    
Ackerman has additional experience with the Greater Richmond Leagues, Inc. (1998-2002) as an owner/director for recreational field hockey and lacrosse leagues.  She was a member of the Hockey Press Information Team for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games in 1996.  Ackerman has served on numerous committees and advisory boards during her career, and is currently on the board of governors for the women's division of US Lacrosse.