Momentum Building For USF Women’s Lacrosse

Momentum for an on-campus stadium at the University of South Florida continued to build when the school’s board of trustees recently approved financing for an estimated $340-million venue that could be ready by the start of the 2026 football season.

While there is no timetable for the first shovel full of dirt to be displaced, Mindy McCord has been breaking ground and building brand awareness as the coach of USF women’s lacrosse program since her hiring in May 2022. The team will take the field as a member of the American Athletic Conference in spring 2025.

In two months, McCord’s first class will arrive at the Tampa campus and spend the next year training and building for the inaugural season.

The university’s commitment toward a stadium, which would host football and lacrosse, and an indoor practice facility that had its grand opening earlier this year, can only help with recruiting. That is, of course, on top of the easy sell of Mother Nature. Indeed, those watching at home will not see snow piled up on the sideline.

“It’s been amazing,” McCord said of the facilities part of the program-building puzzle. “Everything that was presented and communicated (during the hiring process) has not only happened, but exceeded my expectations. A world-class facility can put another feather in USF’s cap with a state-of-the-art environment for fans. It also helps build our competitive edge to compete in the American Conference, which is one of the top three women’s lacrosse conferences in the country.”

McCord noted the continuing momentum for, as well as the completion of, athletic facilities and upgrades being the result of university leadership operating in unified rhythm. It is a leadership group that includes, but certainly not limited to, president Rhea Law, board of trustees’ chair Will Weatherford and athletics director Michael Kelly.

A like vision and passion for the present and future of the university’s athletic programs is what made women’s lacrosse a reality and what brought McCord 200 miles south to Tampa from Jacksonville University. She launched a women’s program at JU that began play in 2010 and quickly became a major success as underscored by eight NCAA appearances. The Dolphins twice advanced to the Sweet 16.

“The thing that I really appreciate, is (the USF leadership) really values women’s sports,” said McCord, who is excited for what a stadium can do for the university community beyond autumn Saturdays and a lacrosse schedule. “USF women’s sports can be successful and has been successful.”

The indoor practice facility, an 88,000-square foot structure that cost $22 million and is adjacent to Corbet Stadium, home of men’s and women’s soccer and where lacrosse will first be played, is something McCord’s program will be taking full advantage of.

“When you look at the size of it and the ability to not only practice in there, but have games in there and, well, we are in Tampa, so weather can be a factor,” said McCord, who is assisted by her husband, Paul, and Brittany Orashen, who played under and coached with the McCords at JU. “You maintain that competitive edge by being able to get indoors. From a recruiting standpoint, it is a world-class facility that allows us to host prospect days as well as practice. There are not many schools that have an indoor facility of this caliber.”

McCord will welcome 20 freshmen and seven transfers to campus in August. Among the transfers will be Sofia Chepenik, who arrives from Clemson. The Palm Coast, Fla. native led ACC freshmen in goals (33) and assists (20) in 15 games for the Tigers last season.

“Sofia was an amazing pick up for us,” said McCord, a Maryland native who began her coaching career at Oberlin (Ohio) College in 1996 before returning to her home state to coaching at McDaniel College. “It elevates the recruiting landscape for us because of her notoriety in terms of what she was able to do in a proven top conference. She is Florida grown and it is so neat that she chose us.”

For McCord and her team, the 2023-24 academic year will be a time for training, playing some exhibition games and ramping up excitement for the sport. While the Tampa Bay region has youth, high school and even NCAA-affiliated lacrosse programs — the University of Tampa has Division II men’s and women’s programs — it will be a time for, as she put it, “Lacrosse 101.”

“We want to bring people to campus to watch, learn and engage with our players and staff,” she said. “This year will be really important for us as far as community engagement.”

Next year? Well, first things first. However, it is difficult not to peek ahead at an inaugural season that is not too distant, and with the possibility of helping christen a new stadium not long after that.

“It is an exciting time,” said McCord. “With what the university and the region have to offer, who wouldn’t want to come to Tampa?”