The Cross & Lacrosse Clinic
Mary Schwartz
Mary Schwartz is in her sixth season with the Roanoke College athletic department as the head coach of the women’s lacrosse program. In addition, Schwartz is also the assistant field hockey coach at the college.
Taking over a rebuilding program in the spring of 2005, Schwartz led her first Roanoke team to a 5-11 overall record. She quickly turned things around and in her second season led the Maroons to a 10-8 overall mark. Of the eight losses the team suffered in 2006, three came to nationally-ranked opponents, one a two-goal loss to the nation’s fourth ranked team. The 2006 team finished 15-4 and earned a spot in the NCAA playoffs, losing in the second round to eventual National Champion Franklin & Marshall.
Schwartz came to Roanoke College after serving as the head women’s lacrosse coach at Division I Davidson College in Davidson, NC. Schwartz began her tenure at Davidson in 1996, taking over a third-year varsity program, and continued her coaching duties through the 2003 season. Prior to her appointment at Davidson, Schwartz was the head girl’s coach at Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh, PA for four years and was named the Midwest Schoolgirls Lacrosse Association Coach of the Year in 1994.
While at Shady Side Academy, Schwartz was also an assistant coach with the field hockey team for three seasons. She began her coaching career in 1989 as an assistant field hockey coach at North Allegheny High School in Pennsylvania. After three years at North Allegheny, Schwartz moved to Mt. Lebanon High School to assume the head coaching duties of the school’s lacrosse program, a position she held for two seasons.
Active off the field as well, Schwartz has served on several NCAA women’s lacrosse committees, including a stint as the chairperson of the NCAA Division I South Region selection committee. She has also served as a Second Vice President of US Lacrosse and as an Executive Board member with the organization. While in Pennsylvania, Schwartz founded the Pittsburgh Women’s Lacrosse Club. At Maryland, Schwartz helped the Terps to three NCAA Division I championship games (1982, ’84, ’85) and was named to both the ACC’s All-Tournament team and the North/South Senior All-Star game in 1985. As a goalie with Maryland’s field hockey team, Schwartz also was a four-year letter recipient and still remains fourth on the Terps’ all-time goals against average list.