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IWLCA Names Padilla as 2024 Kristina Quigley Scholarship Recipient

By IWLCA Admin, 10/10/24, 2:30PM EDT

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Photo courtesy of San Diego State Athletics.

IWLCA Names Padilla as 2024 Kristina Quigley Scholarship Recipient

 

The IWLCA is thrilled to announce that Brandi Padilla, Associate Head Coach of San Diego State University’s women’s lacrosse team, has been honored with this year’s Kristina Quigley Scholarship. This award honors the former Seton Hill coach, Kristina Quigley, who was tragically killed in a bus accident in 2013 while traveling with her team.

“It is such an honor to be a recipient of the Quigley Scholarship,” stated Padilla when notified about her selection. “I am so grateful to the committee and the IWLCA for this amazing opportunity for me and my family. Lacrosse has given me a family and community like no other. This past year, as a mother of four, a coach, and while grieving my dad's passing, my lacrosse family made one of the hardest years of my life bearable with their love and support. I hope to carry on Kristina's extraordinary legacy of coaching and dedication to family.”

Padilla’s passion for coaching is deeply rooted in her belief that family is at the heart of sports. Her experiences as a player at the University of Maryland shaped her understanding of what a true team should feel like—an inclusive and loving family. As she put it in her scholarship application, “I wanted my players to feel like they were part of my family, not just 'players on a team.”

Throughout her coaching career, Padilla has prioritized creating a warm atmosphere where players feel supported. Her own children have been integral to this journey, often traveling with her team and being welcomed with open arms by her players. Their shared experiences have fostered a strong sense of community that extends beyond the field.

Padilla’s resilience was tested this past summer when her father fell seriously ill. In this difficult time, her extended lacrosse family came together to support her. From organizing a special gathering for her family to providing thoughtful gifts and care, her friends and colleagues exemplified the strength of the community she has worked so hard to cultivate. Brandi reflects on this outpouring of love as a testament to the family bond she strives to build within her team.

The Kristina Quigley Scholarship description reads, in part:

To honor the passion, commitment, and values of Kristina Quigley, the IWLCA has established a scholarship in her name. The purpose of this scholarship will be to subsidize a trip to the location of the IWLCA Annual Meeting for the recipient’s family. The time-intensive nature of the coaching profession is significant and family time is often sacrificed. The opportunity for a family to join a coach on this trip represents the very essence of Kristina Quigley. 

In her essay submission, Padilla made it very clear that receiving the Kristina Quigley Scholarship Award means more to her than just recognition. “It represents an opportunity to share my passion for lacrosse with my own family and I would love an opportunity to bring them to the upcoming IWLCA Convention. Allowing her children and husband to witness the incredible world of women’s lacrosse and connect with others who share my same dedication would be such a cherished experience.”

The 2023 IWLCA Convention will be held at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront Hotel in St. Petersburg, FL, from November 20-22. Padilla will attend with her husband Eddie, and their four sons.

For more convention details, click here