2023 IWLCA Service Award Recipient Announced

The IWLCA has announced Megan Smith, Interim Head Coach at Lee University, and Jessica Becker, Associate Head Coach at Colgate University, as 2023 IWLCA Service Award recipients. This is Smith’s second time earning this distinction as she was also the 2021 recipient.

The pair will be recognized for their achievements during the IWLCA Honors Banquet Dinner and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on November 16 in St. Petersburg, Florida at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront.

Smith and Becker have earned the honor for their continued efforts serving the IWLCA as co-chairs of the Annual Meeting Planning Committee (AMPC). Becker and Smith are currently planning their fourth IWLCA Convention and according to Kathy Taylor, a former IWLCA President, have done excellent work on behalf of all IWLCA members. “The time commitment and outreach efforts necessary to successfully plan and execute the large scope of our Convention is a big ask of a volunteer. Jess and Megan have managed the process so well and used their connections to secure great lineups of clinicians, presenters, and panelists to educate and enlighten our coaching body. At the same time, they've embraced digital event technology, streamlined the check-in process, and added more varied opportunities for our members to gather informally to strengthen and grow their own networks.”

The IWLCA Convention is the largest gathering of collegiate women’s lacrosse coaches in the nation and regularly draws upwards of 600 attendees and dozens of vendors and exhibitors. The IWLCA Convention schedule includes business meetings, Divisional Breakout sessions, professional development opportunities, coaching clinics, the Honors Banquet Dinner and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, networking and social events, and a separate professional development track for club, high school, and youth coaches.

“I am so honored to be receiving the IWLCA Service Award alongside Jess,” stated Smith. “We have been the best team working together for the past four years trying to make Convention the best it can be. It is incredible to be counted among the many amazing people who have received this award before us. I have had amazing mentors who have shown me the importance of giving back to the IWLCA and encouraged me to do so as well. I am the lucky one who gets to serve alongside so many incredible people who impacted my life and the sport greatly!”

"What an honor it is to be recognized by the Association for the IWLCA Service Award,” stated Becker when notified about her award. “To receive this award alongside my AMPC partner in crime, Megan Smith, makes it even more special. The importance of giving back to this coaching community has always been modeled by my mentors, so I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to serve the IW on this committee for the last four (going on five) IWLCA Conventions."