Lian named women's lacrosse coach
Naz alum coached 6 seasons at Brockport
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Traci Lian, head women's lacrosse coach at SUNY Brockport for the past six seasons, has been named women's lacrosse coach at Nazareth College.
A native of Cortland and a 2000 graduate of Nazareth, Lian replaces Sue Behme, who was recently appointed head coach at Fresno State. Behme coached at Nazareth for nine seasons.
Lian helped spearhead dramatic improvement in the women's lacrosse program at Brockport. Her six-year record of 62-31, included school records for victories in 2007 (13) and again in 2008 (14). She was named State University of New York Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2007. She followed that up by guiding the Golden Eagles to, perhaps, their best season ever in 2008. Brockport finished 14-4 overall, including 6-2 in the SUNYAC. The Golden Eagles lost 14-13 to Cortland in the conference championship game, but regrouped to score decisive wins over Utica and St. John Fisher to claim the ECAC Upstate New York championship.
“We think that Traci will be a great fit for us,” said Nazareth Athletic Director Pete Bothner. “She did a tremendous job at Brockport and we think she can pick up at Nazareth where Sue left off.”
Lian also filled several 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.
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 takes over a Nazareth program that enjoyed unparalleled success under Behme's direction. The Golden Flyers made six NCAA Tournament appearances and won more than 100 games over the last nine seasons. They will begin 2009 with a 28-game regular-season winning streak in the Empire 8.
Lian has a degree in Business Administration from Nazareth and a Master's degree in Physical Education from Brockport. She resides in Rochester with her husband, Steve, and infant son, Jayden.