Luke Stanczyk, Benedictine Sports Information
LISLE, Ill. -- The Benedictine University Athletic Department
has appointed a new head coach for the women's lacrosse program as
Cat Thoreson will take over the program, beginning in the Fall of
2013.
"We are fortunate to find someone with the passion and
commitment to lead our program," stated Director of Athletics Mark
McHorney. "Cat's past experiences have prepared her well to serve
Benedictine University."
"It is with great pleasure that I accept the role of Head
Women's Lacrosse Coach at Benedictine University," Thoreson said.
"I would like to thank Director of Athletics, Mark McHorney, and
the search committee for their efforts throughout this process. The
energy, culture, support, and enthusiasm they displayed is
unmatched, and I am eager to be a part of it. I cannot envision a
more ideal place to coach, work, and grow."
Thoreson brings a bevy of experience to the women's lacrosse
team as she's been coaching the sport since graduating from the
Hofstra University Honors program in 2009. This past school year,
Thoreson was the Assistant Women's Lacrosse Coach at North Central
College in Naperville, helping lead the team to a school record 12
wins and its first appearance in the Midwest Women's Lacrosse
Conference Tournament Championship. She has also coached the game
at the High School, Club, and recreational levels, and is currently
a coach for Team ONE's travel girls lacrosse program based
out of Niles.
Before Thoreson went into coaching, she was a standout player
for Division I Hofstra. In 2007, she was part of the Hofstra team
that was ranked in the Top 20 nationally, won the Colonial Athletic
Association Championship, and made an NCAA Tournament
appearance.
With a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations, Thoreson has
also pursued a number of roles in the corporate world since 2009; a
list comprised of companies like MS&L Worldwide, Likeable Media
and Restaurant.com. Most recently, she was the Director of
Marketing and Brand Management at Planet Fitness
Chicago.
"I am eager to combine my previous playing and coaching
experiences, working knowledge of the corporate world, and passion
for the sport of lacrosse at Benedictine," Thoreson said. "I am
highly confident that the aforementioned, in tandem with the
University's unwavering support, commitment to academic and
athletic excellence, and top-notch facilities, will positively
impact boththe women's lacrosse program's reputation and ultimate
success."
Thoreson believes that her marketing experience has helped to
shape who she is, but coaching has always been her core
passion.
"While working in the field of marketing has provided me
great pleasure, coaching women's lacrosse remains my core
passion," Thoreson explained. "My intense love of the game has
undeniably fueled the desire to continue coaching at the collegiate
level. I look forward to bringing all that I have to Benedictine
University and writing a new chapter of the women's lacrosse
program."
However, Thoreson does not want to leave her mark on
Benedictine only on the lacrosse field. She wants to make an impact
in her player's lives and help them to become better individuals as
well.
"My immediate task is to set a standard of excellence for my
student-athletes both on the field and off," explained Thoreson. "I
look forward to creating more opportunities for them, present and
future, heightening the program's level of competition locally and
nationally, and enhancing the brand of Benedictine University. It
is my goal to create growing recruiting opportunities, increased
national exposure, and mounting resources to fuel the program's and
my athletes' boundless success."
All in all, Thoreson couldn't be more excited to lead the
program during a time of growth for BenU Athletics.
"This is an exciting time for not only Benedictine, but the
sport of lacrosse in the Midwest," she said. "I am eager to lead
its growth, development, and success as an Eagle, and look forward
to building a winning team backed by excellence, respect and
passion both on the field and off. I cannot wait to get
started.".
Benedictine hires Cat Thoreson as new women's lacrosse coach
Posted: Aug 08, 2013