Jacksonville, Florida - The JU women’s lacrosse team will have a fresh face on the coaching staff as head coach Mindy McCord added former Johns Hopkins standout Sarah Gallion to the fold as a volunteer assistant.
Gallion brings a wealth of experience as a coach and player to the JU program. She will fill the role vacated by former graduate assistant coach Jen Heup, who finished her master’s degree in the spring.
“We’re excited to add someone who has excelled as a coach and player to our staff,” McCord said. “Sarah has been already been a successful coach at the high school and club levels and I can’t wait for her to bring her skills and experience to help our program.”
“College coaching has always been an aspiration of mine since high school and I am very excited to start the journey with a great group of women and a phenomenal coaching staff,” commented Gallion. “I was really interested in developing my coaching philosophy and learning about all that goes into collegiate coaching before I took that next step. Working with MCC Sports and LaxManiax while coaching Bartram Trail has enabled me to put together a comprehensive philosophy. It’s taught me how to multi-task successfully in many areas, being able to work with a variety of different athletes and different peers. This experience has really progressed my ability to teach in a diverse way.”
Gallion made a quick transition from star player to the coaching ranks. She most recently coached in the Under Armour All-America Lacrosse Classic, leading her team to a tournament championship at the prestigious all-American Showcase for her club program, the LaxManiax Elite. Her teams earned undefeated records at two major northern tournaments competing against the nation’s top club programs.
Gallion also served as head coach of local prep powerhouse Bartram Trail, helping the squad remain one of the top programs in north Florida with consecutive district championships. During her tenure, the Bears posted a 42-13 cumulative record. Her final senior class saw four players move on to college teams, including three who earned Division I scholarships.
Prior to coaching with Bartram Trail and the LaxManiax, Gallion coached her former prep club team, North East Maryland Select (NEMS). She gained her first coaching experience during her time at Johns Hopkins, working with the Little Jays youth league team.
A former captain and four-year varsity starter for Blue Jays, Gallion twice was named her school’s “Defensive Player of the Year” award. As a senior, she earned all-American Lacrosse Conference honors in 2008.
Gallion played in the prestigious IWLCA North-South Senior all-star game as a defender, helping her South team to a win. The appearance capped a stellar career in which the Bel Air, Md. native also earned Second Team All-ALC and Second Team Mid-Atlantic Region honors as a sophomore.
Gallion starred for Maryland’s C. Milton Wright High School from 2001-04 and was a four-year starter and varsity MVP her junior and senior seasons. She was a team captain and earned first-team all-Baltimore Metro in her final two seasons.
