Courtesy of Davenport Athletic Communications/Media Relations
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Davenport University's Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Paul Lowden, has announced that women's lacrosse assistant coach, Haley Schmucker, has been named head coach.
"Haley has been impressive in her role as an assistant coach at DU," said Lowden. "Her past coaching experience coupled with her working knowledge of recruiting qualified DII student-athletes will aid her transition to head coach of the women's lacrosse program."
Schmucker joined the Panthers' coaching staff prior to the 2022 season after spending two seasons as an assistant for the Knights of Division III Arcadia University in Glenside, Pa.
"I am beyond grateful for this opportunity and the chance to work with this incredible team and athletic department," said Schmucker. "I can't think of a better place to begin my head coaching career. It's time to get to work and continue pushing this program in the right direction. Thank you to Rob Harris and Sam Hosford (Arcadia) for being exceptional mentors to me as well as Ronda Varnesdeel and Paul Lowden for having the confidence in me to lead this program. I'm looking forward to the future and maximizing this team's abilities."
A 2017 graduate of Michigan State, where she was a member of the Spartans' club lacrosse team, the midfielder served as a two-year captain and was a two-time team MVP. Schmucker was named first-team all-league twice, second-team all-league once and nominated for All-American honors.
Schmucker began her collegiate career at Bryn Athyn College, where she played both volleyball and lacrosse. As a member of the Lions' inaugural team in 2014, Schmucker totaled a team-best 48 points on 40 goals and eight assists while adding 39 ground balls, 35 draw controls and 15 caused turnovers.
In addition to assisting with Michigan State's lacrosse clinics, her other coaching stops include serving as a coach for the Philly Blast and Ultimate Lacrosse Clubs and a high school volleyball coach for the Academy of the New Church Secondary Schools.
Schmucker takes over a program that has gone a combined 24-9 the past two seasons with back-to-back appearances in the GLIAC Tournament Finals and an IWLCA national ranking as high as No. 23.