Germantown Academy graduates seem to be popping up everywhere in the coaching world. Over the summer, three alumnae were hired by Division I programs across the country.

Laura Kurz ’04, Kate Lawlor ’05 and Colleen Magarity ’07 all joined the elite level of college coaching ranks as assistant coaches. Kurz returned to her home state to coach women’s basketball at Lehigh University while Lawlor went south to the University of Richmond to coach women’s lacrosse and Magarity went west to help begin the University of Colorado women’s lacrosse program.

Kurz played two seasons for Duke University before transferring to Villanova, where as a senior, she was a unanimous First Team All-Big East selection, the Big Five Player of the Year, the Big East Conference Co-Most Improved Player Award and the honor of being named a finalist for the Naismith Award.

After graduating, Kurz played professionally for a year in Greece and was then a training camp invitee with the WNBA’s Seattle Storm. After retiring as a player, Kurz went back to graduate school where she got a master’s in Sports Management at NYU.  At GA, she was an Adidas All-American and is the all-time leading scorer with more than 2,000 points.

“I'm excited for Laura to join the college coaching ranks,” said Middle School physical education teacher and girls’ varsity basketball coach Sherri Retif. “She has exceptional knowledge of the game and can connect with the younger players. This summer she worked out with several of our present players and they received her instruction with total admiration.”

Prior to arriving at Richmond, Lawlor was the assistant athletic director and head varsity girls’ lacrosse coach at Louisville Collegiate School in Louisville, Kentucky. While earning her Master’s degree in school administration at the University of Louisville from 2009-2011, Lawlor worked as a volunteer lacrosse assistant coach at the school.

A 2009 College of William & Mary graduate, Lawlor was a two-time lacrosse team captain and a fixture on the Tribe's starting lineup as a defender. Lawlor also demonstrated success in the classroom, earning the CAA Commissioner's Academic Award in 2007. As a senior Lawlor was tabbed a National Strength and Conditioning Association All-American.

Magarity graduated from Northwestern in 2011 with a degree in Human Development and Psychological Services and a minor in Business.  In four years at Northwestern, Magarity helped the Wildcats win three NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Championships and compiled an impressive 85-5 record.

Magarity was a team captain her senior season and the defensive leader for the 2011 NCAA Champions. She was a third-team IWLCA All-American and earned first-team All-West Region and first-team All-American Lacrosse Conference honors. She was named to the All-Tournament team for both the NCAA Championship and ALC Championship. Her junior season she was named second-team All-ALC and capped her career with a Northwestern Student Athlete award in 2011.  She was also a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection. 

At GA, Magarity was a two-time high school All-American and was the 2007 Tri-State Lacrosse Player of the Year, Times Herald Player of the Year and Philadelphia Inquirer Player of the Year.  She was ranked the No. 8 recruit nationally by Inside Lacrosse.

“It is so rewarding to have students go on and give back to the game by coaching at any level,” Associate Director of Athletics Ginny Hofmann 1760 said. “I am so proud of Kate and Colleen and their accomplishments. They are both remarkable young women who show a dedication and passion for everything they do. Colorado and Richmond are very lucky to have them as positive role models for their players and programs.”

Patriots - do you know of any other alumni who are coaching in college? If so, please e-mail Assistant Director of Communications Tom McGlinchey.