Penn State Abington has named Debora C. Andress as head coach

Andress becomes the first head coach in the program’s history, as Penn State Abington announced the addition of the program earlier in January. Varsity play will begin in Spring 2009.

Andress brings an outstanding lacrosse background to the position. She has coached and/or played at nearly every level, from youth to national play. A former member of the United States Women’s Lacrosse Team Squad from 1980-1984, Andress also played for the Philly I and II club teams, perennial powerhouses in the sport. A graduate of Penn State, Andress played both field hockey and lacrosse for the Nittany Lions, and was a member of teams that won two AIAW National Championships during her tenure. She was inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.

Andress has remained in touch with the game through founding and directing summer camps and leagues. She served as head of the selection committee and head coach for the Philadelphia Area Girls Lacrosse Association U15 and U13 squads from 2002-2006. She also continues to direct and coach the OLMC Girls Lacrosse Youth Organization for second through eighth grade girls in Bucks County. She is currently a full time instructor in Kinesiology at Penn State Abington.

“Without a doubt, Deb Andress is the right coach at the right time to begin our new program,” said Karen Weaver, Director of Athletics. Her experience and involvement in the game for the past 25 years made her an exceptional candidate.”

“I am so thrilled and honored to accept the head coaching position of our new women's lacrosse program here at Penn State Abington,” said Andress. “With the present explosion of the sport throughout the county, we are proud to provide an opportunity for our student athletes to participate at the collegiate level. I have always been very passionate about the game of lacrosse and see this as a positive challenge. To create, develop and lead our new women's lacrosse program to new heights is my goal!”

Andress will begin recruiting immediately. Interested student athletes should contact her at dca1@psu.edu.

If you are interest in playing lacrosse with us, please fill out our player form.

Pam Smith begins her first year as the assistant coach of the Penn State Abington Women’s Lacrosse Team. Her background includes playing four-years at Millersville University, NCAA Division II, where she was a three-time Scholar Athlete and Varsity team captain. Prior to college Pam played at Souderton High School, 1994-1996 Suburban 1 Champions.

This is Pam’s third year as Communications and Community Events Coordinator, at Penn State Abington where she brings years of marketing and public relations experience. Pam has played sports all her life and is thrilled to work with and give back to female athletes what so many coaches have given her.

Penn State Abington announced January 3, 2008, it would sponsor men’s lacrosse and women’s lacrosse beginning in the 2008-09 academic year. This brings the total number of varsity programs to eleven.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer two more sports, especially ones as popular in Suburban Philadelphia as men’s and women’s lacrosse”, said Karen Weaver, Director of Athletics.

“Lacrosse has strong roots in Pennsylvania—there are a number of youth and developmental programs within a 30 mile radius of campus as well as current students on our campus who tell us this will be a great fit,” said Weaver.

“We believe it is a great fit because of the strong academic profile that lacrosse players traditionally bring, and it fulfills a well established demand in our own service area.”