A new program certainly comes with several firsts, as Sun Devil Athletics announced Thursday that former ESPN and Big Ten Networks analyst Courtney Martinez Connor would be named the school's first-ever women's lacrosse coach.
“Courtney Martinez Connor’s multifaceted background as a student-athlete, successful coach, fundraiser, and now broadcaster make her the ideal selection to help lead and grow Sun Devil Athletics’ lacrosse program,” athletic director Ray Anderson said in a statement.
The former college head coach, student-athlete and broadcaster now has a new task — jump-start a new Division I program.
"Becoming the first university in the state of Arizona to add lacrosse speaks volumes to the overall vision held by Sun Devils Athletics and the senior administration," Martinez Connor said in a statement."I am passionate about the sport and can’t wait to start building the lacrosse tradition that will make the Sun Devil community proud. More importantly, I am excited to share my vision with recruits as Arizona State has committed to providing the resources to ignite a championship program.”
Martinez Connor was a former star at Maryland, where she won five NCAA team championships from 1997 to 2001 while claiming four ACC titles. She was named MVP of the NCAA Championships in 2001, and was named National Defender of the year by 360 Lacrosse Magazine.
This is not her first college head coaching job, with previous stops at Mount St. Mary's and University of Maryland-Baltimore County. She is the all-time winningest coach in Mount St. Mary's women's lacrosse history, leading them to NCAA Tournament bids in 2004 and 2005.
Following her success at Mount St. Mary's, Martinez Connor coached at University of Maryland-Baltimore County from 2005 to 2009. In her tenure, she claimed the first win over a ranked opponent in program history and also let the school to its first America East conference title in 2006.
After her last coaching stop, she began serving as a broadcaster in analyzing college lacrosse for ESPN and the Big Ten Network.
"Arizona State is getting a top caliber coach and a fantastic person,” ESPN broadcaster Quint Kessenich said in a statement. “Courtney is a perfect hire for the Sun Devils. She brings instant credibility to the brand. She is the total package: coach, wife, mom and I'm confident she and Arizona State will find success.”
Martinez Connor is married to former Maryland All-American lacrosse player Casey Connor. The two have four children.
Reach the reporter at fardaya@asu.edu or follow @fardaya15 on Twitter.
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