Lawrence University Sports News

Contact: Joe Vanden Acker, Sports Information Director, 920-832-6878

For Immediate Release May 23, 2007

Walsh named Lawrence University women's basketball coach

APPLETON, Wis. -- Michelle Walsh has been named the women's basketball coach at Lawrence University, Director of Athletics Robert Beeman announced Wednesday.

Walsh replaces Amy Proctor, who resigned in April after coaching 19 seasons at Lawrence. Proctor compiled a record of 247-192 and won three conference championships.

"I'm very excited about this opportunity," Walsh said. "I've heard wonderful things about Lawrence and its commitment to athletics and academics. I'm really looking forward to doing some good things with the program."

Walsh comes to Lawrence from William Smith College in Geneva, N.Y., where she joined the staff in August 2006 to serve as the assistant basketball coach and head golf coach. The Herons basketball team finished 17-11 this past season and won the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Upstate championship. Walsh spent two years at Smith College in Northampton, Mass., as the assistant basketball coach before going to William Smith.

Walsh is a 1998 graduate of Swarthmore College, where she earned a bachelor of science degree in engineering. A three-sport standout in basketball, field hockey, and softball, Walsh served as captain of all three teams. An All-American in field hockey, Walsh also earned ECAC Player of the Year honors in softball.

"Michelle's success as a three-sport athlete at Swarthmore College is an indicator that she understands and appreciates the academic challenges that our student-athletes face each day," Beeman said. "Michelle gets it and will be both a role model and mentor to our student-athletes. Further, hiring Michelle is an indication of Lawrence's commitment to enhancing our national image by attracting coaches from other highly selective academic institutions."

A native of Wakefield, Mass., Walsh inherits a team that returns nine letterwinners next season, including All-Midwest Conference selections Kelly Mulcahy, Jenny Stoner, and Carrie Van Groll. The Vikings finished 13-11 in 2006-07 and qualified for the MWC Tournament for the third consecutive season.

"The returning players seem very excited about the sport of basketball and are determined to work hard," Walsh said. "They have some specific goals for next season, which impressed me, and I think we can go after those goals."