Mary Schwartz has been named the new Head Girls Lacrosse Coach for Salem High School. The Salem School Board formally approved her appointment at its October 8 meeting. Schwartz will replace Carly Coyle who left the program after one season to coach at her alma mater, Ferrum College.
“I would like to thank Salem High School Principal Kelly Linkenhoker and Athletic Director Drew Barrett for giving me the opportunity to get back to girls high school lacrosse,” said Schwartz. “I cannot wait to get started.”
Schwartz is certainly no stranger to lacrosse fans and players in the Mid-Atlantic region. She was the head coach at Roanoke College from 2005-2021. During that stretch, she led the Maroons women’s team to the 2007 and the 2009 NCAA Tournaments and captured the 2009 Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championship. Before coming to Roanoke, she was the head coach at Davidson College from 1996-2004.
Her experiences on the high school level also are immense. She coached at two public high schools in Pennsylvania and led the program at Shady Side Academy where she coached the school’s first four high school All-Americans. While at the Academy, she was named the state’s Midwest School Girl’s Lacrosse Association Coach of the Year Award in 1994. Schwartz also founded the Pittsburgh Women’s Lacrosse Club during her time in Pennsylvania.
“When I retired from Roanoke College, I knew that Roanoke would be my forever college coaching job,” Schwartz said. “Having the opportunity to coach high school again truly takes me full circle to when I started coaching this game over 32 years ago at a brand-new program with 40 beginners in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania.”
Schwartz is a University of Maryland graduate, and she was a two-sport star during her time in College Park. As the lacrosse team’s goalie, Schwartz helped the Terps to three NCAA Division I championship games in 1982, 1984, and 1985. She was named to both the ACC’s All-Tournament team and the North/South Senior All-Star game in 1985. Plus, she was the starting goalie on Maryland’s field hockey team and a four-letter winner in both sports.
“I am excited to continue to develop this amazing program at Salem High School,” said Schwartz. “Living in this community for over 20 years, coaching and working with many of the local athletes I am ready to get to work with this new generation of lacrosse players.”
Her hiring is effective immediately.