DePetris named head women's lax coach
JILL DEPETRIS NAMED HEAD WOMEN'S LACROSSE COACH AT BRYANT UNIVERSITY
SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- Director of Athletics Bill Smith is pleased to announce the hiring of Jill DePetris as the next head coach of the Bryant University women's lacrosse program.
DePetris joins the Bulldogs after spending the last three seasons on the staff of nearby Brown University and has been in the Division I collegiate coaching ranks since graduating from Syracuse in 2007.
"With our first season of full Division I eligibility upon us, I cannot imagine a better leader for our women's lacrosse program than Jill DePetris," said Smith. "With all of her experience, both as a player and a coach, she is just what we were looking for to take our program to the next level as we continue to make a name for ourselves within the Northeast Conference. We are thrilled to welcome Jill into the Bulldog family."
As the first assistant under Keely McDonald at Brown, DePetris was involved in all aspects of the program, serving as attack coordinator in her last two seasons, where she developed a Bears' offense that ranked third in the Ivy League in points per game in 2012. In her time at Brown, DePetris also served as the recruiting and travel coordinator, played a major role in practice and game preparation and opponent scouting, and acted as the team's academic supervisor.
In addition to her coaching duties at Brown, in 2009, DePetris founded the New England United Club Lacrosse program, which has grown to include 120 players, grades 5-11. She continues to serve as program director, where she oversees 10 coaches and an administrative assistant.
Prior to arriving in Providence in August 2009, DePetris spent the 2008 and 2009 seasons as an assistant at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia. In just two seasons with the Hawks, she helped turn around an underperforming program and transform it into an Atlantic 10 power. In the 2009 campaign, DePetris helped lead St. Joseph's to a 5-2 mark in league play and a 10-8 overall record, as the Hawks set a new program wins record and made their first appearance in the A-10 Championship Game. The Hawks broke every offensive school record that season, including goals, points and shots while ranking fourth in the NCAA in caused turnovers per game and 10th in scoring defense. The Hawks also saw a program-best six all-conference selections.
"As the Bulldogs enter their first year of full membership and eligibility in the Northeast Conference and Division I, this is an exciting time for the women's lacrosse program and the entire Bryant Athletic Department," said DePetris. "I am extremely excited to join this organization and become a part of Bryant University and Bulldog Athletics."
A 2007 graduate of Syracuse University, DePetris was a four-year starting midfielder for the Orange. A two-time Second Team All-BIG EAST honoree and three-time BIG EAST Academic All-Star, she became just the eighth player in school history to reach 100-career points as she led her team in the inaugural BIG EAST Championship in 2007 as well as a pair of NCAA tournament appearances in 2005 and 2007.
The recipient of Syracuse University Athletics' Enthusiasm Award and Doris Soliday Award for academic and athletic accomplishment, community service and leadership as a senior, DePetris earned her Bachelor of Science in Sport Management in 2007. She went on to receive her Master of Business Administration from St. Joseph's in 2009.