Gardner-Webb Lacrosse Begins 10th Season on Feb. 11 in Spangler Stadium

Head Coach Kathleen Mirgon Crum Strives to Build a Championship Culture for the Team

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Gardner-Webb Lacrosse begins its 10th season on Feb. 11 at 1 p.m. as the team hosts Vermont in Spangler Stadium for the season opener. Head Coach Kathleen Mirgon Crum and her new coaching staff — Assistant Coach Annie Dombrowski and Graduate Intern Coach Jada Preston — are eager for the season to begin.

“This spring is special,” Mirgon Crum said. “We get to showcase all of the hard work we have put in to shaping our culture while continuing to work at growing and solidifying it. This isn’t just the start of spring 2024, though. This is the start of the next decade of competitive excellence and new era of Gardner-Webb Women’s Lacrosse.”

Gardner-Webb University’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously in February 2014 to add women’s lacrosse as the athletics department’s 22nd sport. At that time, Gardner-Webb was the ninth women’s lacrosse program in the Big South Conference. The first coach was hired and began recruiting players to prepare to compete in 2015. The Runnin’ Bulldogs debuted on Feb. 7, 2015, in Spangler Stadium hosting nearby perennial NCAA Division II powerhouse, Limestone College.

Crum noted that since GWU joined the Big South, the sport has grown and several schools have added lacrosse programs. She is excited to see what the future holds for the sport and for Gardner-Webb’s program.

In addition to regular practices and physical conditioning, the team heard from experts on health-related topics, such as mental performance, nutrition, hydration, and sleep. “We want to establish our standards, our foundation and build a championship culture for the girls,” Crum affirmed.

The game on Feb. 11 will also emphasize Mental Health Awareness and the work of Morgan’s Message, a non-profit organization that works to equalize the treatment of physical and mental health in athletics. Some of the lacrosse players are ambassadors for this group, which is named after a lacrosse player who took her own life, shocking everyone around her who had no idea she had a problem.

Crum said other home games will pay tribute to members of the military, lacrosse alumnae, and others to be announced. All of the team’s games at Spangler Stadium and free to the general public. After the opening game, the team is on the road to East Carolina University (Feb. 14) prior to their second home game against George Mason University (Feb. 25). The ‘Dawgs then travel to Jacksonville University (March 2) before a pair of home games against University of Massachusetts Lowell (March 6) and University of Akron (March 9). GWU rounds out their non-conference schedule with a trip to Stetson University (March 12), at home against Queens University of Charlotte (March 14), and a road game versus Kennesaw State University (March 20).

The Runnin’ Bulldogs will then have a week-long break until their Big South opener on the road at Winthrop University (March 27). GWU then closes out the month of March at home against Furman (March 30), before going to Mercer University (April 3). The ‘Dawgs then host a pair of home games versus High Point University (April 6), and Presbyterian College (April 13). The regular season slate finishes up with a trip to Radford (April 17), a home game against Wofford College (April 20), and the finale on the road at Longwood (April 27).

Lacrosse Leadership Council on Celebrating the 10th Season

Brittany Sherrod, senior captain

“I’m so excited to get on the field this year with my team! We are all bought into playing for something bigger than ourselves this year and to have fun while doing it. This is a new year, and I am excited as a senior to play every game like it’s my last with my best friends beside me. I know this team is more than capable of doing big things on the field because these girls are the hardest working people I have ever played with. We are ready to compete and implement our team’s hashtag this year of grit and grind. Sko’ dawgs!

Reese Jones, junior captain

“The 10th year of Gardner-Webb Women’s Lacrosse should not be missed. I am so excited for this new era! We are looking forward to showcasing all of the hard work and team camaraderie we have built during the offseason this Spring ‘2024. Come watch us hit the ground runnin’!”

Lauren Connor, senior, leadership council

“Words cannot describe the excitement going into this 2024 season. Gardner-Webb lacrosse has gone through adversity the past few years and things are finally coming together. I have never been a part of a more close-knit team who will do whatever it takes to get on top. This is a new year and one that I believe Gardner Webb Women’s lacrosse will rock the Big South Conference, showing everyone what we’re truly capable of. Come support the Runnin’ Bulldogs as they claw their way to the top this 2024 season.”

Aimie Perino, senior, leadership council

“This program has seen many highs and lows over the past two years, but I can confidently say I am the most excited for this upcoming season. The bond this team has both on and off the field is something so special and different. I truly feel that this is the year Gardner-Webb will shock the Big South and build the foundation for a team that will achieve more than ever before.”

Emma Meyer, sophomore, leadership council

“All the work that this team has put into this fall has made me super excited for the upcoming season! Coach Crum and Coach Jada have truly turned this team culture into something that I am truly proud to be a part of. The 23-24 team is going to surprise the Big South.”

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.