By Brandy Thurston, Director of Sports Information
(Morrisville, NY – Aug. 2014) Morrisville State College Athletic Director, Greg Carroll, has announced the addition of Taryn Burkholder as assistant coach for the women’s lacrosse and field hockey programs for the fall 2014 season.
Burkholder comes to Morrisville State from Buffalo State, where she served as assistant coach of the women’s lacrosse program for the past season with now Morrisville State head coach Kelsey Schwan. While at Buffalo, she assisted the program to an overall 8-7 record against several top ranked teams, with one of the program’s victories coming against 16thranked SUNY Brockport.
“We are very fortunate to have Taryn join the lacrosse staff at Morrisville State College,” said Schwan.
“She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience entering her third year as a collegiate lacrosse coach. She has a great work ethic, and her personality makes her an outstanding role model for the student-athletes.”
Off the field Burkholder was responsible for assisting Schwan with all facets of the program, and was responsible for monitoring the academic success of the program’s student-athletes.
“Taryn will be instrumental in helping the program achieve our goals, not only on the field but in the classroom and community as well.”
Prior to her stint with Buffalo State, Burkholder spent a year with her alma mater, Niagara University (Division I), on the sidelines in an assistant capacity, working primarily with the defensive unit.
Burkholder anchored the Purple Eagle defensive unit over the course of four years, three as a starter. For two seasons she served as captain, leading the team in ground balls and caused turnovers her final season.
The West Seneca, NY native continues to be active in the lacrosse community, serving in a coaching capacity with the Pure Heart Lacrosse Club and Hamburg Knights Lacrosse Clubs in the Buffalo area over the last three years.
Burkholder brings her field hockey expertise to the Mustang fields this fall, working primarily with the defensive unit and goalkeepers.
“We are very excited to have Taryn join the field hockey staff at Morrisville State College,” said head coach Rebecca Osier. “With her experience as a collegiate lacrosse coach and student-athlete, I know she will provide our program with the knowledge and experience needed to be successful on and off of the field.”
Throughout high school she starred in the midfield for West Seneca West, earning All-League honors throughout her career and All-Western New York honors as a senior. In 2007 Burkholder was selected as an alternate for the Empire State team.
Burkholder earned a bachelor’s degree in sports management from Niagara University in 2012.