A combination of her passion for the game, previous experience coaching, and familiarity with the team were some of the factors that played into the final decision to hire Jennifer Fox as the new women’s lacrosse head coach.

Fox, whose previous relevant experience includes coaching at Merrimack College, Saint-Francis University, Randolph-Macon College, and, most recently, Endicott College, will officially start in the position on Nov. 20.

Having grown up in Braintree, Massachusetts, Fox is not only familiar with the area, but she is also familiar with the RWU team. 

“I’m well aware of the sports culture at Roger Williams and the love not only for the school itself, but also the school spirit in athletics,” Fox said.

Fox expressed her appreciation of the value in academics that the athletics department pushes on their players. In her interview with the team, she was impressed to see that many members on the team are involved in other areas of campus.

Two of the seniors on the team, Kaelin Hogan and Carly Martin, were both members of the search committee. By offering many of the players the opportunity to be a part of the interview process and provide feedback, the search committee showed that they value the opinions of the players.

“We’re seniors and this is our final year, but the program is built on the underclassmen,” Hogan said. “When we leave, [Fox] is going to be [coaching] them, and we want to make sure we’re looking out for our team’s interest, for the program’s interest, and for the school’s interest.”

Martin highlighted the strength of the Endicott team, adding that Fox’s experience with Endicott will help to make the RWU team stronger as well.

Nicole Palombo, another senior on the team, explained that Fox is coming into the position with prior knowledge of how the RWU team plays and how each individual player plays. Fox’s familiarity with the conference that the lacrosse team is a part of will be another major benefit for the girls.

“She brings that high energy and intensity that we’re looking for in a coach,” Hogan added, referring to one of the ways in which Fox stood out from the other candidates.

The search committee began the process in early September, Skype interviews were conducted in early October, campus tours were given in mid-October, and the final decision was announced by the end of October.

“Team culture is a big part of my coaching philosophy, and I think a lot of that is built off the field,” Fox said, adding that she is a big fan of team bonding through the community, away from the lacrosse game.

All three of the seniors spoke about the close-knit community of the team, adding that they have been training themselves so that they are prepared for when they start up with Fox for pre-season.

Fox advised her new players to be ready to work hard, but to hopefully have it pay off in the end.