Year: 2023
Award: Coach of the Year and Team of the Year
Location/Affiliation: University of Denver Women’s Lacrosse
- Coach Kelly won her 300th game in just 409 tries
- 22-1 record and #4 National Ranking
Coach Kelly and the DU Pioneers Lacrosse team had some fun in 2023 as they made history: going to the NCAA Final Four for the first time and Coach Kelly picking up her 300th win as a head coach… she was also named the West/Midwest Region Coach of the Year for the second straight season.
The Pioneers finished the regular season with an undefeated 17-0 record, earned 3 wins over Top-5 teams and finished 22-1, with their only loss coming against eventual National Champion Northwestern in the NCAA semifinals. It was a dream season for Coach Kelly and her players, setting school records all the way to a #4 final ranking. The team has built a championship tradition and culture that rivals the best in any sport, turning DU into one of the best women’s lacrosse programs in the country. For that incredible run to the Final Four, Coach Liza Kelly and the Pioneers are the Coach and Team of the Year. .
