The Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) inducted three coaches into the organization’s Hall of Fame this evening. The IWLCA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was held in conjunction with the IWLCA Annual Meetings at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Patricia Price Genovese, Gillian Rattray, and Suzanne Tyler represent the second class of inductees. Collectively, this group has 70 years of collegiate coaching experience and have won 724 games.

Princeton University head coach Chris Sailer is the chair of the Hall of Fame committee and served as the Master of Ceremonies for the event. “What a wonderful evening honoring the careers of three legendary coaches,” Sailer said. “Each of the women inducted into the IWLCA Hall of Fame tonight began their college coaching careers in a time and environment very different than today. It was inspiring and enlightening to learn about their journeys and to hear their stories and insights. They personify what it means to pursue excellence with passion and to intentionally develop young women through sport.” 

Genovese and Tyler were on hand with several of their former players to accept their award. Gillian Rattray passed away December 14 2017, and was recognized posthumously. Betsy Williams Dougherty ‘84 accepted the honor on Rattray’s behalf.

2018 Hall of Fame Inductee Bios

Patricia Price Genovese served as the head women’s lacrosse coach at William Smith College from 1971 until she retired in 2012. Her career record of 385-158-1 lands at number seven on the list of most winningest women’s lacrosse coaches of all-time. Genovese compiled a .709 career winning percentage and collected three IWLCA National Coach of the Year awards. She also led the Herons to 16 NCAA Division III Championship berths, including 11 trips to the semi-finals, and five Championship game appearances. During her career, Genovese coached 26 first-team All-American selections and seven National Players of the Year. She was inducted into the SUNY Cortland Hall of Fame in 1990, the William Smith Athletics Hall of Honor in 1999, and the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2009, the same year she received the IWLCA’s Diane Geppi-Aikens Memorial Award.

Gillian Rattray led Penn State University to three consecutive USWLA National Championships from 1978-1980 and is among the top five winningest women’s lacrosse coaches of all-time with an .877 winning percentage. Her career record of 144-19-3 also included appearances in two AIAW National Tournaments and three NCAA Tournaments, including a pair of semi-final appearances in 1983 and 1985. Rattray coached Penn State to winning records in every single season from 1974-1985, including the program’s two undefeated seasons in 1978 and 1979. After retiring from coaching, Rattray served as an Assistant Professor in the College of Health, Physical Education and Recreation at Penn State. She was inducted into the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2005 and the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2005. Rattray passed away in December 2017 and will be honored posthumously.

Sue Tyler started the women’s lacrosse programs at both Cornell University and the University of Maryland and posted a career record of 196-71-3. She led Maryland to the AIAW championship in 1981 and the NCAA Championship 1986 and holds the distinction as the only Division I coach to win NCAA National Championships in two different sports (field hockey, 1987). Tyler reached the National Championship nine times and was named national Coach of the Year in 1984 and 1986. After retiring from coaching, Tyler transitioned to athletic administration, serving as an Associate Athletic Director at the University of Maryland and as Athletic Director at University of Maine. She was an assistant coach for the U.S. National Team and served on the NCAA women’s lacrosse committee, while also serving in volunteer leadership roles with the USWLA and US Lacrosse. Tyler was inducted into the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1999.