Ness Named Women’s Lacrosse Coach and Equipment Manager

Elms College Athletic Director Louise McCleary recently announced that Ruth Ness has been named the department’s head women’s lacrosse coach and equipment manager.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to join a very committed department,” Coach Ness stated. “I look forward to becoming part of the Elms community and working with the women on the lacrosse team.”

Coach Ness brings a vast amount of experience and knowledge of the game of women’s lacrosse to her position at Elms.

Prior to joining the athletics department at Elms, Coach Ness spent two seasons as the assistant women’s lacrosse coach at nearby Smith College where she was responsible for designing and executing effective and engaging practice plans, recruiting, creating strength and conditioning programs, equipment distribution and fundraising.

Coach Ness was also the assistant women’s lacrosse coach at Messiah College during the 2009 season and at the University of New England (UNE) during the 2008 campaign. While at Messiah, Coach Ness helped guide the club to a 14-5 overall record and the program’s second-ever berth in the NCAA Division III Championship. She has coached 10 all-conference selections during her coaching career, including a pair of all-region players.

From 2005-2007, Coach Ness was a school coaching officer at Marlborough College in Marlborough, England. There she coached the women’s lacrosse, field hockey and track and field teams and assisted in teaching the physical education program and played on the West England Territorial team which is a level below the national team.

"We are excited to have Ruth join the department," McCleary stated. "She has an extensive coaching background in women’s lacrosse and will bring a great deal of passion and energy to our program.”

As a player, Coach Ness was named UNE’s Female Athlete of the Year during the 2004-05 season, earned the UNE Student Leader Award during that season, and was an academic all-conference selection as well as an all-conference selection in both women’s lacrosse and field hockey from 2002-05. During her time with the Nor’Easters, Coach Ness became the all-time goals leader and the program’s career points leader.

Coach Ness received a bachelor’s degree in art educational studies from UNE and her master’s degree in exercise and sport studies from Smith.