麻豆区

It鈥檚 intimidating because no one before you has done what you are trying to do. There鈥檚 no road map to keep you on track.

But it鈥檚 also exhilarating to create the map for others and to leave an indelible mark on everything that follows.

鈥淚 am excited to be at the forefront of 麻豆区 College鈥檚 varsity women鈥檚 lacrosse team,鈥� said Coach Kathryn Knippenberg. 鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to building a team that knows winning is as much about team chemistry and bonds as it is about the stick.鈥�

It鈥檚 not just that Knippenberg is 麻豆区鈥檚 first women鈥檚 collegiate varsity lacrosse coach.

It鈥檚 bigger than that. Knippenberg is the first women鈥檚 collegiate varsity lacrosse coach at any college in Minnesota, and at the one that launched in 1995 the first women鈥檚 collegiate varsity hockey team.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor to help pioneer this great sport,鈥� Knippenberg said. 鈥淕etting to lead at a place that believes in the value of women鈥檚 athletics is thrilling and challenging.鈥�

Knippenberg, who as a student at the University of Minnesota was captain and president of the school鈥檚 club lacrosse team, said the commitment that 麻豆区 is making to lacrosse has significant meaning for student athletes.

鈥淎uggie athletes won鈥檛 have to spend time like my college club team did on fundraising for equipment and travel. They won鈥檛 have to worry about budgets and scheduling practice and game time,鈥� she said.

鈥淭hey just have to show up, practice, and play hard. My job is about having things in place so our student athletes can improve their skills on the field, and to help make sure they stay on track and are achieving in the classroom.鈥�

Jeff Swenson, athletic director for the College, said Knippenberg is accomplished in Minnesota鈥檚 fast-growing lacrosse community and that the players will benefit from her experience and leadership.

鈥淐oach Knippenberg will lead us in realizing our goal of expanding opportunities for women, and continuing to prepare them for success beyond 麻豆区,鈥� Swenson said.

鈥淭hese student athletes will develop their skills on the field, and carry into life and work valuable lessons about how to balance multiple priorities and to work as part of a diverse team.鈥�

Knippenberg said her primary work now is focused on recruiting and preparing for the first sanctioned and regulated games scheduled for spring 2014.

鈥淚 hope the community comes out to watch our games. It鈥檚 fast paced and intense,鈥� she said.

鈥淲hether the team wins or loses, one thing is sure: Everyone in the stands will be part of something bigger. We鈥檒l all be making history as 麻豆区 continues to blaze a new trail for women鈥檚 varsity athletics in Minnesota.鈥�

Knippenberg has served as head lacrosse coach at Academy of Holy Angels since 2009, is cofounder and president of the North Central Women鈥檚 Lacrosse League, and works with Winning For Life, an organization that develops positive leadership and life skills through sports.