Kathy Taylor

Coach · Builder · 2018 NCAA Division II National Champion

Kathy Taylor coached women's lacrosse for more than 30 years across four programs and four levels of the game. She built Fayetteville-Manlius High School into a New York State power, took SUNY Cortland to four consecutive NCAA Division III Final Fours, won the 2018 NCAA Division II National Championship at Le Moyne College, and finished her career at Colgate University in the Patriot League. Her overall record as a head coach is 233–76 (.754); her combined collegiate record at Cortland and Le Moyne is 212–29 (.880).

Taylor graduated from Cornell University in 1984, where she became the first women's lacrosse player named to the All-Ivy League First Team. She earned a master's degree in counseling and married Joseph Taylor, a Cornell men's lacrosse letterwinner. She served as president of the International Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association after being elected by her peers in 2017, and sat on the U.S. Women's National Team Selection Committee.

Career highlights

  • Fayetteville-Manlius HS (1988–2006) — 245–62–3 · 2 NYS Championships
  • SUNY Cortland (2008–2014) — 115–17 · 4 Final Fours
  • Le Moyne College (2014–2019) — 97–12 · 2018 National Champion
  • Colgate University (2019–2024) — 21–47 · 4 Patriot League Tournaments
  • 2018 — IWLCA Division II National Coach of the Year
  • 2018 — IWLCA Division II East Region Coach of the Year
  • 2020 — SUNYAC Coach of the Decade (2010s)
  • 2011–2014 — IWLCA Empire Region Coach of the Year

Career timeline

1988–2006

Head coach, Fayetteville-Manlius High School

Record 245–62–3 (.795). Built the program from one team to five. 2004 and 2005 NYS Class A Championships. Five Section III titles. 12 high school All-Americans. Five players named to U.S. National Team.

2008–2014

Head coach, SUNY Cortland — Division III

Record 115–17 (.871). Six straight SUNYAC Tournament Championships. Four consecutive NCAA Final Fours. School-record 22–1 final season. Named SUNYAC Coach of the Decade.

2014–2019

Head coach, Le Moyne College — Division II

Record 97–12 (.890). 2018 NCAA National Championship — 22–1 season. Four consecutive Final Fours. 20 All-Americans. 2018 IWLCA Division II National Coach of the Year.

2019–2024

Head coach, Colgate University — Division I

Patriot League. Hired with explicit mandate to elevate the program. Four Patriot League tournament appearances including 2021 semifinal. Eight All-Patriot League honorees developed.

Leadership and service

Kathy Taylor served as president of the International Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association, elected by her peers in 2017. She has been a member of the U.S. Women's National Team Selection Committee, helping to identify the players who represent the United States in international competition. Her service work reflects the same commitment to the sport that defined her coaching: setting the standard, doing the work, taking responsibility for the result.

She has been inducted into three halls of fame:

  • Fayetteville-Manlius High School Hall of Fame — inducted 2017
  • Upstate New York Chapter, US Lacrosse Hall of Fame — inducted 2010
  • Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame