Wheaton College announces splitting of coaching positions, Begley retains field hockey duties and Jacobs promoted to women's lacrosse head

June 23, 2005

NORTON, MA- The Wheaton College Athletic Department has announced the splitting of its field hockey and women's lacrosse coaching positions, with current head coach Rebecca Begley retaining her duties at the helm of the field hockey program and assistant coach Mary Jacobs being promoted to head women's lacrosse coach, effective August 15, 2005.

Begley has served as the head field hockey and women's lacrosse coach since 2000, while Jacobs has assisted both programs for the last three years. Begley's secondary responsibility will involve serving as the department's liaison for alumnae/i and community relations. Jacobs, who relinquishes her duties as equipment manager, will handle all scheduling for Wheaton's 21 varsity programs.

"I believe splitting the positions will allow both programs to continue to grow and become even more competitive," said Executive Director of Athletics Chad Yowell. "In the past, field hockey and women's lacrosse coaches were recruiting one group of players to field two teams, but that is no longer the case. Both teams will now have the opportunity to run full non-traditional seasons. This move also allows us to start a focus on alumnae/i and the local community in addition to giving Mary the well-deserved opportunity to be a head coach. Helping to establish a balance in workload across the board, this move was a winning situation for two programs, two coaches and the department as a whole."

Begley guided the women's lacrosse program to four postseason appearances during her five-year tenure, including earning berths into the 2003 and 2004 NCAA Tournaments. The Lyons captured three New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) regular season titles and two league tournament championships under Begley. Compiling an overall record of 59-26, Begley also led the field hockey team to one of its most successful seasons in program history in the fall of 2001.

"I am looking forward to focusing all of my energy on one sport," indicated Begley. "This fall is bound to be an exciting season and next fall, after having a true spring season with the team, should reflect the splitting of the positions. My focus will be on recruiting for one sport, having the ability to work with academic and personal matters for one sport and improving player development for one sport. I am also extremely excited about the opportunity to work with alumnae/i and the local community."

Jacobs made an immediate impact on both programs upon her arrival in the fall of 2002. Serving as the recruiting coordinator for the two teams, she witnessed two NCAA Tournament appearances, three conference regular season championships and a pair of league tournament titles. During her time, the women's lacrosse squad posted a NCAA Tournament national quarterfinal round finish in 2004 and boasted a 17-game conference winning streak over a span of three seasons.

"I am excited to be given the opportunity to be a head coach and even more thrilled that I am at Wheaton," stated Jacobs. "The tight-knit athletic department has a commitment to success both on the field and in the classroom. The women's lacrosse program leads in this tradition and has had continued success in the past three years. I am determined to take the necessary steps toward returning to the top of the NEWMAC and ultimately the NCAA Tournament."

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