Rachel Dell, who spent the past six seasons at the helm of the women's lacrosse program at Hartwick College, has been selected to lead the women's varsity lacrosse program at John Carroll University.

“Rachel impressed me with her thoughtful, organized approach, and her desire to build a championship women's lacrosse program at JCU,” said Laurie Massa, Director of Athletics and Recreation for John Carroll. “She has had success recruiting from different parts of the country, and I am confident she has the ability to draw student athletes to John Carroll from Cleveland and northeast Ohio as well as outside the region.”

Massa indicated that Dell would be joining the John Carroll staff at the end of May, 2013.

“It is a tremendous honor to be John Carroll University's first women's lacrosse coach,” said Dell. “I am very thankful to Laurie Massa for affording me this prestigious opportunity. With her leadership and the existing resources at JCU, the women's lacrosse program will be well supported and able to grow into a very competitive program.”

In 2011, Dell piloted the Hawks to their most successful season in recent memory with a 7-8 overall mark. The seven victories tied Hartwick College for the second-highest win total in the last 10 years..

Prior to her Hartwick College experience, Dell served as head coach for Elmira College from 2005-07. In her first year, Dell guided Elmira College to a school-record 11 wins and the program's first and only appearance in the Empire 8 Conference Championship game.


The newly-minted head coach at John Carroll has experienced first-hand the creation of a collegiate athletic program. A 2003 graduate of St. Bonaventure University, Dell was a four-year letterwinner in lacrosse for the Bonnies. Her freshman season (2000) was the inaugural year of lacrosse at St. Bonaventure.

“I knew immediately upon my arrival on campus that John Carroll is a special place,” said Dell. “Between the academic reputation of the University and the athletic pride that exists with each Blue Streak program, JCU women's lacrosse is well-positioned to attract talented student-athletes. “

Dell, who holds undergraduate degrees in French and English from St. Bonaventure University, completed her master's degree in Education from Elmira College in June 2007.

John Carroll will begin playing intercollegiate women's lacrosse during the 2014-15 academic year.

“Our goal is to graduate our student-athletes in four years and for them to be proud of both their academic and athletic achievements,” said Dell. “I am going to work tirelessly on the recruiting trail for our first class. I want the Blue Streaks to immediately be competitive in the Ohio Athletic Conference with the ultimate goal of earning OAC titles and NCAA Tournament berths.”