Nazareth alum Traci Lian, served as head coach of the women's lacrosse program at Nazareth from 2009-2023 when she was appointed the Associate Director of Athletics. Her primary responsibilities as Associate AD will include compliance and eligibility for the student-athletes.
A native of Cortland and a 2000 graduate of Nazareth, Lian completed her 15th season in 2022 and guided the Golden Flyers to a 6-1 mark in the Empire 8 Conference and a third straight trip to the E8 title game.
The 2023 Golden Flyers recovered from a challenging non-conference schedule to advance to another Empire 8 Tournament and move on the the championship game.
With that, Lian has guided the Golden Flyers to a record of 135-102 (.570), including an 83-27 mark in Empire 8 Conference games with berths in the conference Tournament 15 straight times. Her overall record including six seasons as head coach at SUNY Brockport, is 197-133.
In 2015 Nazareth finished 12-4 overall and won the regular-season E8 title with a 7-1 league mark. Lian and her staff were named E8 Coaching Staff of the Year.
Before taking over at Nazareth Lian had success as head coach at Brockport for six seasons. Her overall record there of 62-31 included a 13-win season in 2007 and a 14-win season in 2008. She was named SUNYAC Coach of the Year in 2007 and helped the Golden Eagles to the ECAC Upstate championship in 2008.
Lian also filled a variety administrative roles at Brockport, including adjunct physical education instructor; director of athletic advertising; assistant sports information director; athletic ticket manager; CHAMPS/Life Skills coordinator; and advisor to the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
Lian's coaching resume includes three seasons as assistant field hockey coach at Brockport; one season as assistant lacrosse coach at Fredonia; and several seasons as a facilitator at numerous camps and clinics. During the summer, she operates the popular Nazareth Girls' Lacrosse Camp. At Nazareth, she also assists with compliance during the fall and winter seasons and was appointed Senior Woman Administrator in 2021.
For more than a decade, Lian has helped coordinate the annual Battle of the Beaks fundraiser in which proceeds from the Nazareth vs. St. John Fisher basketball games are donated to the Golisano Children's Hospital. Nearly $200,000 has been raised for the cause. Through those efforts, Lian was cited at Nazareth in 2020 as one of the recipients of the President's Civic Engagement Awards. The award recognizes Nazareth community members who play an integral role in educating students and supporting community engagement.
As a student-athlete, Lian was a standout in field hockey and lacrosse at Nazareth. She was named defensive MVP in field hockey in 1999 and was team captain in lacrosse for three seasons. She was a second-team Empire 8 Conference lacrosse all-star in 2000 and helped Nazareth to its first NCAA Tournament appearance that season.
Lian has a degree in Business Administration from Nazareth and a Master's degree in Education with a concentration in Athletic Administration from Brockport. She resides in Brighton with her husband, Steve, and sons, Jayden, Kellen and Connor.
Â
Â
