Head Coach Amanda O'Leary has built Florida into a national power over the past 10 years
FLax & Furious: Examining the First 10 Years of Florida Lacrosse
Thursday, June 22, 2017 | Lacrosse
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By: Dustin Ciraco
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Amanda O'Leary still remembers receiving the phone call from Jeremy Foley like it was yesterday.
The University of Florida was starting a women's lacrosse program, and was looking for a coach to help build a team from the ground up. No stranger to success, O'Leary had just guided the Yale Bulldogs to a 13-4 record in 2007 and the program's third berth in the NCAA Tournament.
"I think it's one of those dream jobs," O'Leary said of coming to UF. "They don't come along very often, and I thought to be able to compete at the highest level at an institution that supports athletics at the highest level, it was a no-brainer."
O'Leary was offered the job on June 22, 2007, 10 years ago today. The rest, as they say, is history.
Given two years to recruit and build a staff, the Gators finished their inaugural varsity season in 2010 with a 10-8 record, a feat practically unheard of for a team competing in its first season. 2010 Florida Lacrosse
Since 2011, O'Leary has molded Florida into a national power, compiling a 121-24 (.834) record, winning seven consecutive conference championships, earning seven straight berths to the NCAA Tournament, while tutoring 15 All-Americans and four Tewaaraton Award finalists.
In fact, only Maryland has experienced more success during that span, though the Terrapins have been around since 1974.
Women's Lacrosse Programs Since 2011
Institution
Wins
Win Percentage
Maryland
151
.938
FLORIDA
121
.834
North Carolina
118
.819
Syracuse
118
.747
Navy
112
.789
"Mandee doesn't accept mediocrity," former All-American defender Taylor Bresnahan recalled when asked about her time under O'Leary. "She is always pushing everyone to be their best, and makes sure everyone is putting in all their effort. That's my favorite thing about her."
The Gators truly burst onto the national stage on April 15, 2011.
Playing in just its 31st game as a program, Florida had a home date with No. 2 Northwestern – the same team who had played for the previous six national championships.
In front of 1,518 fans (still the second-largest crowd in program history), the Gators pulled off the upset, 13-11. Gators celebrate after topping Northwestern in 2011
"We were just so excited after beating Northwestern the first time," noted O'Leary when asked about that night. "I had chills, goosebumps… It definitely put us on the map."
Prior to the 2015 season, Florida joined the BIG EAST Conference, as the American Lacrosse Conference was disbanding.
All the Gators have done since is post a 22-1 record in conference play, and a 6-0 mark in BIG EAST Tournament play en route to a trio of regular season and tournament championships. Florida won its third straight BIG EAST Tournament in 2017
Florida's leading scorer from this past season, Mollie Stevens, credits Coach O'Leary for helping her grow and become a stronger person when she moved to Florida from Maryland as a freshman.
"Mandee taught me what it's like to be a true professional in the coaching world, which is what I plan on pursuing," Stevens explained. "She has definitely affected my life in an encouraging way."
O'Leary's teams have also set a precedent for academic success.
During her tenure as head coach, 17 Gators have been honored as Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Academic Honor Roll members, and 45 Gators have been named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
Once an anomaly for most Floridians and southerners, Gator fans have adopted lacrosse as one of their own, and routinely fill the stands at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
"Mandee creates such a positive environment that her teams really buy into, and that's something our fans connect with," UF Marketing Coordinator Yanna Pantelis said. "There's nothing better than when the team is celebrating on the sidelines after a Gator goal and the fans are feeding off that excitement."
"The energy that she brings really sets the tone for us all, from the team to the fans, which makes for an incredible experience."
By all accounts, the future of Florida Gator Lacrosse is certainly in great hands. As Stevens put it, "I wouldn't trade the experience I had here for the world."
