NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. – The Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) announced the inaugural cohort for the new IWLCA Spark program, a professional development initiative designed to support collegiate coaches with fewer than four years of head coaching experience on Thursday. Butler Head Coach Leah Rubino was selected to be a part of the inaugural cohort.
"I am so excited to learn from the experiences and passion of the coaches around me," said Rubino. "I am so thankful that the IWLCA is providing me this opportunity and it is exciting to have so much energy amongst new head coaches. I can't wait to get started with the inaugural cohort!"
Spark was designed to help novice head coaches strengthen their leadership identity and effectiveness, align their coaching philosophies with institutional expectations, shape team cultures that support performance, well-being, and belonging, and build a community of practice with fellow coaches navigating the head coaching role.
Through a combination of live learning sessions, online courses, mentoring conversations, and an in-person workshop, participants will develop the leadership capabilities needed to thrive in today's collegiate coaching environment while building a network of peers committed to continued learning, growth, and impact.
"I'm excited to welcome the inaugural cohort of coaches to the Spark program," said IWLCA Executive Director Liz Robertshaw. "The IWLCA has always been committed to supporting our member coaches throughout their careers, and we are proud to provide this opportunity specifically designed to help newer head coaches navigate the challenges and opportunities of their roles, grow as leaders, and contribute to the continued growth of our sport."
The 2026-27 IWLCA Spark Program will run from August 2026 through January 2027 and will feature an in-person leadership experience during the 2026 IWLCA Convention, at the Island Grand at Tradewinds Resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida in November. Developed in partnership with e.t.c. coaching consultants, Spark sessions will be facilitated by Sarah McQuade and Julie Muller.
In addition to the program's educational components, Spark will foster a supportive community of practice where participants can collaborate with peers, share experiences and insights, and support one another's professional development throughout the program and beyond.
The inaugural 2026-27 cohort consists of the following 18 coaches:
Taylor Beretich Division III Southwestern University
Anna Bissell Division III SUNY Plattsburgh
Cori Chom-Rees Division III DePauw University
Dina Cifelli Division II Seton Hill University
Corbett Day NAIA Warner University
Kiana Francis Division II Gannon University
Paige Harman Division II West Virginia Wesleyan College
Morgan Kaminski NAIA Reinhardt University
McKenna Kincaid Division III Brevard College
Ellen Newton Division II Roberts Wesleyan University
Liza Oakley Division I Youngstown State University
Amanda Picozzi Division II Caldwell University
Hannah Potter Division I Winthrop University
Abby Poulter Division III Illinois Wesleyan University
Llaquelin Reyes Division III Notre Dame of Maryland University
Leah Rubino Division I Butler University
Megan Smith Division II Lee University
Courtney Vought Division III Mount Aloysius College
