Vanderbilt head coach Cathy Swezey announced the hiring of former Florida midfielder and three-time All-American Shannon Gilroy as an assistant coach on July 6, 2015.
Gilroy, who will help coach the attack and midfield, comes to Vanderbilt fresh off closing a highly decorated career at Florida. She finished her career in the NCAA record books tied for eighth in career goals (256) and tied for 16th in points (320). She was a three-time IWLCA All-American (twice on the first team) and was named a top finalist the last two years for the Tewaaraton Award, which is awarded to the best player in the country.
“We could not be more excited about Shannon joining our staff,” Swezey said. “She is one of the top players in the country and an exceptional talent in all areas of the game. Shannon also has had quite a bit of experience teaching skill work to young players. I know our team is very excited to work with her.”
The Commodores are very familiar with Gilroy, who was recently named to the 2015-16 U.S. Women’s National Team along with Vanderbilt alum and fellow midfielder Ally Carey.
Gilroy played against Vanderbilt four times during her career. In her last matchup against the Commodores, she notched a career-high nine points with seven goals and two assists while also winning eight draws, causing five turnovers and collecting five ground balls in a Florida victory on March 22.
“I am truly honored to have the chance to start my coaching career at Vanderbilt University,” Gilroy said. “I would like to thank Cathy Swezey and (assistant coach) Beth Hewitt for giving me this opportunity to call Vanderbilt my home. I am very excited about working with the caliber of student-athletes at Vanderbilt and getting the chance to coach in a familiar conference, the BIG EAST.”
Gilroy, a native of Northport, N.Y., raked in the accolades while at Florida. This past season, she was named a Tewaarton Finalist, a IWLCA First-Team All-American, IWLCA All-South First Team, the BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year and the BIG EAST Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
This came on the heels of a junior campaign in which she led the country with 86 goals. She also tabbed 106 points in 2014 and was named the American Lacrosse Conference Midfielder of the Year and ALC Tournament MVP.
During Gilroy’s career, the Gators won four regular-season conference championships and three conference tournament titles. Florida also reached the NCAA Tournament all four years, including the program’s first trip to the Final Four in 2012 and two Elite Eight appearances.
Gilroy graduated from Florida with a degree in English and a minor in Business. She was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll all four years.
In addition to playing for the U.S. Women’s National Team, Gilroy recently joined Team STX, which is compiled of post-collegiate lacrosse players helping promote the sport of women’s lacrosse. She will traveled to London with Team STX in July 2015 to play Team England and England’s developmental squad. Team STX also hosted girls lacrosse camps before the games.