Cecil C. Pilson, who has led the Mercyhurst University program for the past 11 seasons, has been named the women's lacrosse coach at Butler University. Pilson is the first coach in program history as the Bulldogs will begin competition with the 2016-17 academic year.

Over the past 11 seasons as the head coach at Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pa., Pilson posted an impressive 133-57 overall record for a .700 winning percentage. His teams have been ranked in the Top 15 in the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) final poll in seven of the past eight seasons. Pilson has successfully recruited and coached 11 IWLCA All-Americans, 21 IWLCA All-Region selections, and 35 All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) honorees during that time.
 

"Throughout the process to identify a dynamic leader for this position, we were impressed with Cecil's success in developing winners on the field and in the classroom, his enthusiasm for Butler University and this opportunity, and his vision for building this program in its initial years," said Butler Vice President/Director of Athletics Barry Collier. "We're excited to welcome Cecil, Katie and Fletcher to Indianapolis and Butler University."

Pilson's coaching philosophy of "Athletic Success through Academic Achievement" has exemplified itself with 99 PSAC Scholar-Athletes (cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher), 43 IWLCA Academic Honor Roll Athletes (cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher), and Mercyhurst posting the highest team GPA in the PSAC in each of the past three seasons. In 2015, his team was recognized as the IWLCA Merit Squad for having the top team GPA of all NCAA Division II programs. 

"I would like to thank Barry Collier, (Deputy Director of Athletics) Tom Crowley, (Associate Athletic Director for Administration) Molly Sullivan, and President James Danko for this tremendous opportunity," said Pilson. "The institution and administration's vision for the women's lacrosse program is in line with my coaching philosophy and I am excited to begin building the foundation for the Butler women's lacrosse program. I have been thoroughly impressed with 'The Butler Way' and how that resonates with the faculty, staff and administration at the university."

Pilson's Mercyhurst team finished the 2015 campaign ranked tenth in the country in the final IWLCA Division II poll. The Lakers had a 15-4 overall record and advanced to the PSAC Championship game for the second straight year, and third time in the last four seasons. Mercyhurst's 2015 record marked the tenth consecutive winning season for the program.
 

Before taking over at Mercyhurst, Pilson spent several seasons assisting head coach Janet Grubbs at Longwood University, a then-Division II institution located in Farmville, Va.

As a member of the staff, the Lancers posted a 75-17-1 (.806) record and reached the NCAA Division II Final Four in 2002 before advancing to the National Championship game in 2003. In both of those seasons, the Lancers were ranked in the top-10 and had 10 players combine for 19 All-America awards and three IWLCA Player of the Year honors.

Outside of coaching, Pilson spent eight years with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves and served overseas with the Regimental Combat Team I during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.

He played one year of lacrosse at Western New England College before transferring to Longwood, where he earned a degree in physical education with a concentration in exercise science and a minor in coaching in the spring of 2004.

Pilson and his wife, Katie, have a son, Fletcher, who was born in 2014. The couple is expecting their second child in April.

Pilson will officially begin his duties on January 1, 2016 as he builds a program, staff and roster to begin competition during the 2016-17 academic year.