|
Stephani Schmidt
|
Stephani Schmidt begins her 10th season as the Head Women's Lacrosse Coach at Denison University in 2009-10. Since her arrival in 2001 she has guided the Big Red to nine consecutive North Coast Athletic Conference tournament appearances, two conference tournament championships and a pair of trips to the NCAA Division III Tournament.
In conference play, Schmidt has led Denison to an impeccable 47-12 record since 2001 highlighted by two 7-0 seasons in 2001 and 2002. In 2006, Schmidt's team finished 8-8 for the season, but led them to the NCAC Championship and was rewarded with the NCAC Coach of the Year. As a result of winning the conference, the team advanced to their 13th NCAA Championship.
Despite a 6-9 record overall, Schmidt led the injury-riddled 2008 squad to a 4-2 mark in conference play and tied for second place. Senior Quinn Simmons was honored as NCAC Offensive Player of the Year, Schmidt's sixth player coached to win this honor.
After suffering a mid-season skid in 2009, the Big Red rallied to win their final three regular season games en route to earning the program's 15th consecutive tournament berth. Senior Katie Kubasta became just the eighth women's lacrosse athlete to be selected NCAC Defensive of the Year.
Schmidt graduated from Ohio State University in 1997 with a bachelor of science degree in education. She earned her master's degree in sports and exercise studies from OSU in 1999. While in graduate school, she gained valuable coaching experience serving as an assistant coach under Buckeye head coach and former Denison head coach Sue Stimmel. At OSU, Schmidt was the defensive coordinator. In 1998, she coached the Midwest Region II team that competed in the United States Women's Lacrosse Association (USWLA) National Tournament. Schmidt has been an instructor at many camps and clinics including the Nike Girls' Lacrosse Camp, Warrior Lacrosse Camp, The Lacrosse Academy, Ohio State Women's Lacrosse Indoor Clinic and the Merestead Lacrosse Camps.
Schmidt attended Hopatcong High School in Hopatcong, N.J. As a player she was a member of the OSU Buckeye women's lacrosse team when the program began in 1996. Schmidt played for two years and was team captain her senior year. She was also selected to play in the USWLA National Tournament for the Midwest I and Great Lakes I teams for six consecutive years.
Her honors at Ohio State included Dean's List recognition and the Ohio State Scholar-Athlete Award twice. She was also selected as an All-Academic Big-Ten honoree.
Schmidt currently resides in Columbus, Ohio.