W&L Administrator Inducted to Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Hall of Fame Michael F. Walsh Director of Athletics Jan Hathorn was enshrined in the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Association (IWLCA) Hall of Fame during a ceremony held on Nov. 17.

By Brian Laubscher
November 18, 2022

Jan Hathorn, Michael F. Walsh Director of Athletics at Washington and Lee University, was inducted into the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Association (IWLCA) Hall of Fame in a ceremony held at the IWLCA Convention on Nov. 17 in Dallas, Texas.

Hathorn is one of 18 individuals who have been inducted to the IWLCA Hall of Fame since its inception in 2017. She is joined in the 2022 class by current Princeton University Head Coach Chris Sailer and retired coach Dorothy “Dotty” Hall of St. Lawrence University.

Hathorn directed W&L’s women’s lacrosse program from its inception in 1988 through the 2007 season. Her skill at developing programs was demonstrated by W&L’s eight appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament. She claimed a 277-112 (.712) career record over 24 seasons, with 222 of those victories occurring while leading the Generals. Her 277 victories are 12th all-time in Division III and her .712 career winning percentage is 17th-best in the history of Division III.

In W&L’s first varsity lacrosse season, Hathorn led the Generals to the semifinals of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference tournament. From there, W&L posted 17 winning campaigns over the next 18 years, winning nine ODAC titles. Hathorn was named ODAC Lacrosse Coach of the Year nine times, earning regional coach of the year accolades twice.

Hathorn is now in her 16th year as the director of athletics, helping W&L capture the Dan Wooldridge Champions Cup as the top overall athletic program in the ODAC following all 15 of her years as athletic director. She received the 2019 NCAA Division III Administrator of the Year Award from the Women Leaders in College Sports. Last year, she helped lead W&L to a 12th-place finish in the Learfield IMG Division III Directors’ Cup standings. This represented the university’s highest-ever placing in the standings that measure the top athletic programs in the nation.

Before coming to W&L, Hathorn spent five years as the head women’s lacrosse coach at Denison University. She earned a B.A. in physical education from the State University of New York at Cortland and an M.A. in physical education from Ohio State University in 1985.

If you know a W&L faculty member who has done great, accolade-worthy things, tell us about them! Nominate them for an accolade.