TEMPE, Ariz. – Courtney Martinez Connor has been named the first head coach for Arizona State's newly established women's varsity lacrosse program, Vice President for University Athletics Ray Anderson announced Thursday. Martinez Connor, a gifted lacrosse student-athlete and standout collegiate coach, will build the foundation of Sun Devil Athletics' 25th varsity sport.
"Courtney Martinez Connor's multifaceted background as a student-athlete, successful coach, fundraiser, and now broadcaster make her the ideal selection to help lead and grow Sun Devil Athletics' lacrosse program," Anderson said. "The success she has seen at every level is a tribute to her passion, hard work, and innate talent within the sport, and we are excited to see the heights this program can achieve."
Martinez Connor joins ASU following a successful career as a lacrosse analyst for ESPN and Big Ten Network. With her extensive broadcast background, Martinez Connor is a recognizable face within the lacrosse community.
"It is truly an honor to be selected as the coach of the Arizona State University Women's Lacrosse program. I am incredibly grateful that President, Michael Crow, and Vice President for University Athletics, Ray Anderson, have provided me with such an incredible opportunity to lead the Sun Devils. Becoming the first University in the state of Arizona to add lacrosse speaks volumes to the overall vision held by Sun Devils Athletics and the Senior Administration. I am passionate about the sport and can't wait to start building the lacrosse tradition that will make the Sun Devil community proud. More importantly, I am excited to share my vision with recruits as Arizona State has committed to providing the resources to ignite a Championship program," Martinez Connor said.
Prior to entering her broadcasting career, Martinez Connor was the head coach for the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) Retrievers from 2005-09. In her first year at UMBC, Martinez Connor led the Retrievers to the program's first America East regular-season title with a 5-1 conference mark in 2006. The team also recorded its first-ever victory against defending conference champion and then seventh-ranked Boston University, also the first victory over a ranked team for the program. For her immediate turnaround at UMBC, Martinez Connor was named the America East Coach of the Year in 2006. Over her career at UMBC, Martinez Connor led the Retrievers to marquee victories over Oregon (2007) and Loyola (2008), coached 21 America East All-Conference players, had two players named to the America East All-Conference Championship team, and produced two of UMBC's most successful seasons (2006 & 2009) since 2002.
Also at UMBC and Mount St. Mary's, Martinez Connor was a prodigious fundraiser, and helped the athletics department raise money for a new athletics complex, including a locker room, coaches' offices, training room and a team media room. Martinez Connor also hosted a variety of events to help fundraise specifically for women's lacrosse, including dinners and silent auctions.
"Courtney is a tremendous student of the game and a great choice for Arizona State," Syracuse Women's Lacrosse Head Coach, Gary Gait said. "Her leadership will immediately allow the team to compete at the highest level".
Martinez Connor took the head-coaching job at UMBC after her success at Mount St. Mary's University. In her four years as head coach at Mount St. Mary's, Martinez Connor became the all-time winningest coach in Mountaineer women's lacrosse history as she amassed of 43 victories. Earning the head job right out of college, Martinez Connor turned the Mountaineers program around and led Mount St. Mary's to the Northeast Conference (NEC) Tournament title game in her final three seasons and back-to-back NEC Championships and NCAA tournament bids in 2004 and 2005.
"Arizona State is getting a top caliber coach and a fantastic person," ESPN broadcaster Quint Kessenich said. "Courtney is a perfect hire for the Sun Devils. She brings instant credibility to the brand. She is the total package: coach, wife, mom and I'm confident she and Arizona State will find success."
Martinez Connor was a standout lacrosse player at the University of Maryland, where she contributed to the Terrapins five NCAA Team Championships (1997-2001) and four Atlantic Coast Conference Championship titles (1997, 1999-2001) in her time with the team. In 2001, Martinez Connor was named the MVP of the NCAA Championship and National Defender of the Year by 360 Lacrosse Magazine.
Graduating from Maryland in 2001 with a degree in international business and marketing, Martinez Connor was a member of the ACC Honor Roll, received the Maryland Scholar-Athlete Award, and was recognized for her outstanding academic achievement by the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Education at the University of Maryland.
"We are excited for Courtney and what she will bring to Sun Devil Athletics," Deana Garner-Smith, Senior Associate Athletics Director and Senior Women's Administrator, said. "Her diverse experience will significantly benefit not only our student-athletes but also all of our coaches as we continue to strive for excellence in collegiate athletics."
Martinez Connor is married to former Maryland All-American lacrosse player Casey Connor and they are parents to their four children: Acacia, Jacinda, Callista, and Caden.