YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – Young Harris College Director of Athletics Randy Dunn announced today the addition of Katie Ilott as the women’s lacrosse head coach.
Ilott will be responsible for starting the Mountain Lions’ intercollegiate varsity women’s program that will begin play in the spring of 2013.
The Mountain Lions were accepted into the NCAA Division II membership process in July 2011 and are now in Candidacy Year One. YHC will become the 14th member of the Peach Belt Conference in July.
“I am extremely happy that Katie has accepted our position,” said Dunn. “Katie has a tremendous passion and commitment to building a first-class women’s lacrosse program. Her ability to recruit quality student-athletes with her playing and coaching experiences will be of tremendous benefit as she grows the program.”
Ilott comes to Young Harris after working with the Mercyhurst University women's lacrosse program the past two seasons as an assistant coach. The Lakers finished the season ranked No. 14 in the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association poll as they went 13-7 and advanced to their first-ever appearance in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference title match.
“I am very grateful to be given this opportunity at Young Harris College by President (Cathy) Cox, Coach (Randy) Dunn, the athletics staff and administration,” said Ilott. “The beautiful campus and the constant strive for excellence makes Young Harris the perfect place to build a women's lacrosse program. I am excited to make history at Young Harris College.”
Prior to Mercyhurst, she played four years of lacrosse at Limestone College, where she helped the Saints to four straight Conference Carolinas’ regular-season championships, three consecutive conference tournament championships and three NCAA Division II tournament berths. Along the way, she was named to the all-conference first team three times and was tabbed as an all-region honoree and a first-team All-American.
Prior and during her time at Limestone, Ilott played for the Canadian National Under-19 Lacrosse Team for two years (2005-07) and coached several elite club teams, including the Oshawa Lady Blue Knights program.
Ilott earned her bachelor’s degree in physical education from Limestone in 2010 and will earn her master’s degree in organizational leadership from Mercyhurst this year.