July 23, 2013
NASHVILLE – Two-time All-America honoree Julie Gardner, a 2012 graduate of the University of Virginia, will join the Vanderbilt lacrosse program as an assistant coach, Head Coach Cathy Swezey announced Tuesday.
Gardner has spent the past year as an assistant coach at William & Mary, where her primary responsibilities included recruiting, social media, alumni relations, practice and game-day coaching. She will assume a similar role with the Commodores.
“Julie is going to be a great fit for our program,” Swezey said. “Not only was she an extremely successful player, but she has spent the last year making a very positive impact on the College of William and Mary’s lacrosse program. I am confident that Julie will bring new ideas and great energy to our program. We could not be happier that she has accepted our offer to be a part of our staff as we approach what is sure to be a phenomenal year.”
Gardner started every game of her collegiate career, helping to lead the Cavaliers to NCAA Tournament berths in each of her four seasons in Charlottesville. Gardner was named to the Tewaaraton Trophy watch list in 2011 and 2012, and earned third-team All-America accolades from the IWLCA after each of those seasons.
“I am so excited, first of all, for the opportunity to come to Vanderbilt,” Gardner said. “I have gotten to know Cathy and Sue (assistant coach Susan Ellis), and look forward to working with them. They are great coaches who are well-respected by their players and their peers, and I think I’ll be able to learn a lot from them as mentors.”
In addition to her outstanding record on the field, Gardner served as head coach for the SPLax Club 2014 side in her hometown of Severna Park, Md., for five summers. At Virginia, Gardner was the first recipient of Yeardley Reynolds Love Scholarship, presented to a deserving female student-athlete on the UVA lacrosse team. She earned her undergraduate degree in sociology.
