BUFFALO, N.Y. — D'Youville University Athletics is excited to announce the hiring of McKenna Rushford as the new head coach of the women's lacrosse team, the second coach in program history. A former Division I standout with a diverse coaching background and proven leadership experience, Rushford brings a championship mindset and a student-first philosophy to the Saints.
"We are thrilled to welcome McKenna to D'Youville," said Ona Halladay, Vice President for Athletics and Planning "Her energy, knowledge of women's lacrosse, and dedication to the overall growth of our student-athletes stood out during the hiring process. She has a clear vision for the future of D'Youville women's lacrosse and brings the experience and character to execute it."
"I am beyond excited to begin my head coaching career in my hometown, and incredibly grateful to D'Youville for trusting me with this opportunity," Rushford said. "From my very first interactions with the administration, support staff, and team, I could feel the sense of community and the potential to build something truly special."
Rushford arrives in Buffalo following a successful stint as First Assistant and Recruiting Coordinator at SUNY Potsdam, where she led draw and midfield development, built defensive systems, and championed a strong team culture through initiatives like small-group mentoring ("Paw Packs"), mental performance routines, and a newly established program handbook. She also served as a university admissions representative, showcasing her commitment to the holistic student-athlete experience.
Before her time at Potsdam, she served as Second Assistant at Butler University, coaching midfielders, draw specialists, and goalies while co-leading defensive strategy and recruiting efforts across the U.S. and Canada. At Butler, she played a key role in developing two All-Big East midfielders and building leadership systems within the team.
Beyond her collegiate coaching career, Rushford has worked with elite youth and high school athletes through Empress Lacrosse, Jacksonville University camps, and national tournaments, further enhancing her recruiting reach and player development expertise.
Her technical skill set includes expertise in draw control, goalie development, offensive and defensive systems, film analysis (Hudl, Krossover), and free position strategy. She has also led efforts in fundraising, social media strategy, gear and operations management, and student support services.
A 2020 graduate of Jacksonville University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Rushford made her mark as a decorated student-athlete, earning numerous accolades at Jacksonville University and at the University of Cincinnati. As a Bearcat, Rushford was named Big Eat Midfielder of the Week twice and as a Dolphin, Rushford was the team MVP and a two-time ASUN All-Conference honoree.
Rushford's athletic accomplishments date back to her high school days just up the road at Amherst High School where she had her jersey retired in lacrosse, field hockey, and ice hockey in 2018.
"I'm looking forward to establishing a lasting culture that demands excellence both on and off the field," said Rushford. "The team is hungry, motivated, and ready to set the tone—laying the foundation for a legacy that future Saints will be proud to build on."
