Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 2/15/24
From Press Release
The Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) has selected three coaches for induction into the coaches’ Hall of Fame for 2024. Among that class is current West Chester University head coach Virginia “Ginny” Martino.
Martino, who enters the hall of fame as the first from the ranks of Division II, stands as a titan in NCAA women’s lacrosse with a distinguished coaching career that spans 28 years, including the past 26 as head coach. Martino has amassed an impressive record of 385 wins entering the 2024 campaign making her the winningest head coach in Division II history. Her coaching acumen is further underscored by her two national championships and a robust winning percentage of .824.
That winning percentage is the third-best in Division II history and eighth-best among women’s lacrosse coaches at any level. Her 385 career victories ranks eighth at all levels of coaching as well. She is expected to become just the eighth coach in women’s lacrosse history to win 400 games in a career later in the 2024 season.
“I am incredibly honored to be selected for induction into the IWLCA Hall of Fame,” said Martino, who also was inducted into the USA Lacrosse Eastern PA Chapter Hall of Fame. “To be named alongside two coaches for whom I have the utmost respect is truly a humbling moment for me. I am blessed to have the best job in the world. I love what I do, as well as the players, coaches, families and alumni who continue to support WCU Lacrosse.
“They are the reason behind my success. It is an unexpected honor to be recognized alongside such legendary trailblazers in our sport. The amazing group of coaches that precede me have been incredibly impactful to women’s lacrosse. To be mentioned in the same category with them is quite overwhelming. I am so appreciative to the IWLCA for this incredible honor.”
Martino’s teams have won 14 conference titles, two national crowns, earned four league coach of the year honors (2001, 2005, 2018 and 2023) and two national coach of the year (2002, 2008) recognitions while leading her team to the national semifinals an amazing 11 times.
Over the past five seasons, West Chester has gone 90-8 overall and 57-2 in conference play while winning four PSAC titles. Last spring (2023), Martino and the Golden Rams found themselves in the national championship game once again after running through the regular season, conference tournament and first three rounds of the NCAA Tournament undefeated. Martino brought home the Atlantic Region crown for the second time, before topping Grand Valley State in the national semifinals to run her career record in the semifinal round of the NCAA Tournament to an astounding 11-1. Pace University ended West Chester’s bid at a perfect season in the national championship.
Martino and her charges were ranked No. 1 in the country for seven consecutive weeks last spring from March through the end ot the regular season. West Chester finished the campaign with the best record in the nation at 22-1. It’s 22 wins were a program record and tied the national mark for most wins in a single season. West Chester’s appearance in the national championship game broke a tie with Adelphi for the most appearances in a final (11) in Division II history. Both the Golden Rams’ appearances in the NCAA Tournament (15) and wins in the NCAA Tournament (22) are second all-time behind Adelphi.
The esteemed class of 2024 for the IWLCA Hall of Fame also includes former University of Virginia head coach Julie Myers and Jim Nestor of Salisbury University. Amanda O’Leary, head coach at the University of Florida, serves as the chair of the IWLCA Hall of Fame committee responsible for evaluating candidates and selecting the deserving honorees. This illustrious group of coaches represents the pinnacle of achievement in women’s lacrosse, and their induction into the Hall of Fame is a testament to their exceptional contributions to the sport.
“The Hall of Fame committee did a fantastic job selecting this year’s class,” said Kelly Gallagher, President of the IWLCA and head coach at the University of Tampa. “We have a number of well-qualified candidates to consider every year, and appreciate the diligence of the committee members as they compare and contrast the eligible coaches in order to select the most deserving class. This year’s honorees are truly worthy of the recognition and we are very excited to honor them in November during the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.”
The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place in November during the IWLCA Convention at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront Hotel in St. Petersburg, Fla. The IWLCA Hall of Fame was established in May 2017 to recognize and honor outstanding career achievements by collegiate women’s lacrosse coaches. The class of 2024 will be the seventh class of honorees to be inducted.