Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 9/18/21
Women’s Bios for the 2021 Philadelphia Lacrosse Association Hall of Fame Induction celebration Sept. 18 at United Sports in Downingtown:
CHRISSY MULLER-POPLAWSKI
Chrissy Muller- Poplawski enters the Hall of Fame as a truly great player and contributor. She is a graduate of Haverford HS and Temple University as a multi- sport athlete. At Temple University she was a four year starting goalie with a 64-7 overall record and an impressive .688 save percentage. Poplawski was a three time All American and competed in the NCAA tournament all four years under the direction of Tina Sloan Green and Sue Stahl. The 1984 Temple team won the NCAA Championship beating the University of Maryland. She continued her outstanding playing career with the USA National Team from 1985-1990. As a member of the U-23 team she traveled to England, Scotland and Wales in 1987. Poplawski won a gold medal with the 1989 US team at the World Cup Championship in Perth, Australia in 1989.
Poplawski was a highly successful youth, high school and club coach to both her daughters, Madison (UPENN) and Alex (Stanford) at Springfield HS and the Phantastix Club team. She volunteered countless hours for the PASLA schoolgirls organization and coached many National Tournament teams. Chrissy is a Middle School teacher in the Lower Merion School District and resides in Springfield with her husband Mark.
DIANE HORSEY
Diane Horsey enters the Hall of Fame as a player, coach, official & contributor. At Downingtown H.S., she was part of the undefeated ‘69 Ches-Mont Champions. After playing at West Chester State College, she played club ball with the Phila Assoc, winning the President’s Cup Championship D Division at the USWLA National Tournament in ‘76.
Her coaching career was in the West Chester School District, starting as a 9th grade coach and moving up the ranks to the Head position at East High School in ‘85, a position she held for 10 years. Her overall record was 141-56-12, winning the Ches-Mont Championships 4 times & the PIAA District 1 Championships ( considered the state championship then) in ‘90 & ‘91.
Diane’s officiating career began in ‘74 and continues today. She has reffed all levels of play & numerous PIAA play-off games, including the State Championships in ‘13 & ‘19. Her college career has led her to reffing around the country & NCAA Conference play-offs. Diane has been chosen to officiate two international tournaments – The Berlin Cup & the Prague Cup, both in ‘08.
Her service to the sport includes training & rating young officials & being a clinician at local high schools to teach new rules & proper defense skill. As a member of The Bridge Program, Diane volunteers to help teach skills & rules to girls of color in Philadelphia. She also serves on the PLA Diversity Committee.
Diane’s honors include Coach of the year in ‘90 & ‘91; Outstanding Girl Athlete Award/Downingtown H.S ‘70; Ches-Mont Hall of Fame ‘2013; Chester County Sports Hall of Fame ‘12; Commonwealth of PA House of Representatives Citation ‘85 & ‘11; & Senate of the Commonwealth of PA Recognition in ‘12.
In addition to Diane’s contributions to lacrosse, she had a stellar career coaching field hockey & officiated both Field Hockey & Basketball –at the same time she was involved in lacrosse!! Her dedication to women & sports is phenomenal! She is truly deserving of this PLA Hall of Fame recognition.
MARILYN HULL
Marilyn Hull enters the Hall of Fame as an official. Dedication and service come to mind when one thinks of Marilyn Hull as a Women’s Lacrosse Official. She has administered to this game both on and off the field for the safety and growth of the game! Starting in the early 1970’s, Marilyn became certified as a Philadelphia Women’s Lacrosse Official. In the past 30 years, there hasn’t been a lacrosse season that Mrs. Hull couldn’t be found on some lacrosse field either officiating, training, certifying new officials, or making sure all had a say in how to “call the game”! She used her great voice to keep the game under control and officiate fairly. If she wasn’t on the field, she was in the stands, assigning or evaluating the women officiating a PIAA playoff or College DIII game. Her “on the field dedication” also carried over to administrative work. Marilyn was President of the Chestmont Official’s Chapter and secretary of the Philadelphia Official’s Board. She assigned for District 1 playoffs and College D3 games. Mrs. Hull was a National rated officer with the USWLA and received a National Emeritus award.
Marilyn Hull has been a life contributed to the game of women’s lacrosse! As several of her “sister” officials have said; there are many occasions when Marilyn would step onto the field if an official was injured or an extra was needed. She was dependable in being on time and never complained about field conditions or inclement weather. Most helpful to new officials and to her partner officials, she was simply interested in them being good at calling the game. Her work ethic was just as evident when she willingly took over chairing and serving in the refreshment stands at US National Tournaments and even for a USWLA World Cup Championship! As many of her fellow umpires have said, “you could always find Marilyn at any lacrosse event, either officiating, evaluating, or cheering for the players and officials!”
JUDY TURNER BAXTER
Judy Turner Baxter enters the Hall of Fame as a truly great player and coach and is already in the Plymouth Whitemarsh High School (’71-73) and Ursinus College (’74-’77) Halls of Fame. She was a three-year varsity high school player, 4 year Varsity and Co-Captain at Ursinus and member of the Philadelphia Colleges 1st and 2nd club teams to the National Tournament. Selected (’78-’81) to the Philadelphia National Tournament 1st Team and the USA Squad (‘75-’81) where she Captained the ’81 USA Team that toured Australia.
In addition to her playing achievements Judy made significant contributions to the game here in PA and later taking success and passion to Minnesota. While still playing at the national level Judy was Head Coach at Lehigh University (’77-’85 and ’02-’03) and guided the team to the ’82 ECAC Championship and again in ’85 including the NCAA quarterfinals for which the ECC and PAIAW each named her Coach of the Year. She was active at the local and district levels in the PWL Umpires Association (’77-’89) and Chair of the ECC Lacrosse Committee (’82 to ’85) and simultaneously the NCAA Regional Advisory Committee and the NCAA Brine All American Awards Committee (’83-’85). Returning to the US in ’99 from a family relocation abroad Judy transplanted roots of passion and excellence in Minneapolis, MN and worked for decades to develop a lacrosse culture similar to what she experienced in PA. Judy worked with new friends and lacrosse allies to build opportunity and pipelines: high school summer leagues,youth leagues, middle school playdays, tournaments and she invited college coaches to Minneapolis. She expanded opportunity as the players and play improved with MN Elite a travel club Team, she gave of her time to the MSHSCA Board and the MN Lacrosse Board. Judy put on clinics for coaches, players and officials because a culture of sport requires more than the teams. And because excellence breeds excellence, the Eden Prairie High School Girls Lacrosse team she established and coached from ’99 to ’19 had a 308-28-4 record with 9 State Championships. Judy again earned Coach of the Year accolades, this time from Eden Prairie HS in ’08; the MN State High School Coaches Assoc. in ’12 and ’17; and for Minnesota from USL in ’18.
JULIE HULL ELICKER
Julie Hull Elicker enters the PLA Hall of Fame as a truly great player. Julie has s already been inducted into the US National Hall of Fame. Elicker is a ’75 graduate of Great Valley High School where she started Varsity all 4 years and won the Chesmont league championship in ’74 and ’75. After high school, Julie enjoyed a four-year career at James Madison University, where she served as a team captain and led the Dukes to a conference championship, before becoming a member of the U.S. National Team program from 1980-86.
Her international experience began with a touring team visit to Australia for a series of matches in 1981. Elicker also competed as a member of Team USA at the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, helping to capture the gold medal in 1982. She served as a team captain for the 1986 squad that finished in second place to Australia. Elicker competed for 10 years on the post-collegiate club team representing Philadelphia, and was the recipient of the Beth Allen Award in 1985 at the US Women’s Lacrosse National Tournament. She also has been inducted into the James Madison University Athletics Hall of Fame and the US Lacrosse Charlottesville Chapter Hall of Fame.