(LEBANON, Ill., Oct. 25)—McKendree University director of athletics Dr. Todd Reynolds has announced that Brittany Poist has been hired as the first coach of the women's lacrosse program for the Bearcats.
 
With the hiring of Poist, McKendree is moving forward with plans to field a varsity women's lacrosse team in the spring of 2013. The Bearcats will play at the NCAA Division II level as the institution continues its progress towards full membership in the organization.
 
“McKendree is thrilled to be part of the growing interest in the sport of women's lacrosse throughout the Midwest,” said Reynolds. “We are confident that there is a solid foundation of players and programs to build on as we look forward to our first season of competition. In like manner, the University has hired an extraordinary individual as its first coach. Brittany Poist is a name that will be recognized throughout the lacrosse community. She has achieved a remarkable degree of success both as a player and as a coach at the club lacrosse level. Coach Poist will attract immediate interest in the McKendree program and will not only field a competitive team, but will be helpful in raising the visibility of lacrosse as a sport option for young women across the region.”
 
Poist, who at 22 is one of the youngest head collegiate coaches in the nation, is finishing up her degree at the University of Maryland after a standout career for the Terrapins which included a 2010 national championship. Poist excelled as a defender for Maryland, helping her squad to three consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season and tournament titles. Poist was named as a member of the All-Tournament team at the NCAA Final Four after Maryland's run to the national semifinals in 2009.
 
The following year, Poist led the Terrapins in ground balls in helping the Terrapins to an NCAA national championship. In each of her final two years at Maryland, the Terrapins boasted the nation's top defensive squad.
 
Poist began her collegiate playing career at the University of Louisville, where she led the nation with 56 caused turnovers and was 10^th in NCAA Division I with 54 ground balls. She also scored 14 goals with eight assists for 22 total points in garnering All-Rookie team honors from WomensLacrosse.com for the Cardinals.
 
Since 2010, Poist has been a member of the United States Senior National Lacrosse Team. The Hampstead, Md., native was an All-Conference and All-County performer – as well as team MVP – as a junior and senior at North Carroll High School. Poist was a three-sport standout for the Panthers, excelling in soccer and track as well.
 
In addition to her vast playing experience, Poist has served as a head and assistant coach at the club level since the age of 13. Poist is currently employed as the director of lacrosse at Champions Field House in Rockville, Md. There, she aids in the development of lacrosse leagues, camps and tournaments, and also serves as the head coach for the Jackals club lacrosse squad.
 
“I'm so excited to have this opportunity,” said Poist. “From the moment I set foot on the McKendree campus I felt that the athletic program was heading in a great direction. They (school officials) were very supportive of the direction they wanted the lacrosse program to go, and I wanted to be a part of that. The sport of lacrosse is really starting to take off in the Midwest, and this is a great time to tap into that talent and build our program on that base.”
 
Poist quickly defined her goals for the McKendree lacrosse program. “We want to build a program that will not only be competitive, but one that the University and our fans can take pride in,” said Poist. “Playing at the Division II level will afford us the opportunity to attract talented student-athletes, and I believe we'll be able to do that here at McKendree. One of our biggest goals in the short term will be to give back to the community. We want to teach and educate the community about the game of lacrosse, and that will give us the opportunity to build a fan base which is so important in this sport.”
 
Poist has already started her recruiting efforts while finishing up her degree requirements at Maryland. She will relocate to the Metro-East area after the new year.