Who is Liza Oakley and what impact has she made in women’s lacrosse coaching. How did her journey as an assistant coach unfold at various institutions. What notable achievements has she accomplished in her coaching career.
Liza Oakley’s Coaching Career: A Rapid Rise
Liza Oakley has quickly established herself as a rising star in the world of women’s lacrosse coaching. Her journey began in August 2021 when she joined the Butler women’s lacrosse program as an assistant coach. This appointment came after a series of successful stints at other institutions, where she honed her skills and made significant contributions to the sport.
Early Coaching Experience
Oakley’s coaching career kicked off at the University of Lynchburg, where she spent two years as an assistant coach. During her time with the Hornets, she demonstrated versatility by coaching both offense and defense. In her first season (2018-19), Oakley focused on offense and draw control, guiding the top two attackers in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference to success.
Her defensive coaching prowess became evident in her second year at Lynchburg. Oakley implemented a team-unit style defensive scheme that showcased all-state caliber athletes. This experience laid the foundation for her future specialization in defensive coaching.
Impact at Fresno State
Before joining Butler, Oakley served as an assistant coach at Fresno State for the 2021 season. Here, she focused on coaching defense and goalkeepers, making an immediate impact on the team’s performance. Under her guidance, the Bulldogs achieved several notable accomplishments:
- Advanced to their first-ever Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championship Game
- Led the MPSF standings in ground balls and caused turnovers
- Developed the conference leader in ground balls, who also became the program’s career leader
- Coached three players to reach double digits in caused turnovers
Oakley’s work with Fresno State’s first-year starting goalkeeper was particularly impressive. The goalkeeper finished the season ranked fourth in the NCAA in saves per game (11.93) and third in total saves (167), showcasing Oakley’s ability to develop talent quickly.
Oakley’s Coaching Philosophy and Specializations
Throughout her coaching career, Liza Oakley has developed a multifaceted approach to the game, with particular strengths in defensive strategies and player development. Her coaching philosophy emphasizes:
- Team-oriented defensive schemes
- Individual skill development, particularly in ground ball control and caused turnovers
- Goalkeeper training and performance optimization
- Offensive strategy and draw control techniques
This comprehensive approach has allowed Oakley to make significant contributions to each program she has been a part of, adapting her focus to meet the specific needs of each team.
Beyond the Field: Oakley’s Contributions to Program Development
Liza Oakley’s impact extends beyond on-field performance. Her roles have consistently included responsibilities that contribute to the overall success of the programs she works with. These additional duties have included:
- Recruiting: Identifying and attracting top talent to strengthen team rosters
- Travel organization: Ensuring smooth logistics for team movements
- Academic oversight: Monitoring and promoting student-athlete academic success
At the University of Lynchburg, Oakley’s efforts in academic oversight yielded impressive results. In the 2019-20 school year, she helped lead the women’s lacrosse team to achieve its highest team GPA in the previous decade. This accomplishment underscores her commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes who excel both on the field and in the classroom.
Oakley’s Playing Career: Foundation for Coaching Success
Liza Oakley’s coaching expertise is built upon a strong foundation as a former player. Her experience as a student-athlete at Mount Saint Mary’s University provides valuable insights that inform her coaching approach.
Defensive Excellence
As a starting defender for the Mount Saint Mary’s women’s lacrosse team, Oakley was a key contributor to one of the top defensive units in NCAA Division I. In 2018, she served as the defensive leader for the Mountaineers, helping the team achieve the third-best scoring defense in Division I women’s lacrosse that season.
Academic Achievement
Oakley’s success was not limited to the lacrosse field. She demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence throughout her collegiate career, earning recognition as a three-time NEC All-Academic selection. This balance of athletic and academic achievement has undoubtedly influenced her holistic approach to coaching and mentoring student-athletes.
Expanding Horizons: Oakley’s Experience in Club Lacrosse
In addition to her collegiate coaching roles, Liza Oakley has gained valuable experience in the club lacrosse circuit. Her involvement with prominent club programs has further enriched her coaching repertoire and expanded her network within the lacrosse community.
Dodgers Lacrosse
From 2014 to 2015, Oakley coached with Dodgers Lacrosse in Hartford, Connecticut. This experience provided her with the opportunity to work with developing players in a competitive club environment, honing her skills in talent identification and youth development.
Valley Select Lacrosse
In 2019, Oakley contributed her expertise to Valley Select Lacrosse in Roanoke, Virginia. This engagement allowed her to work with elite young players from the region, further refining her coaching techniques and expanding her understanding of player development at various skill levels.
These club coaching experiences have complemented Oakley’s collegiate coaching career, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of the lacrosse development pipeline from youth to collegiate levels.
Administrative Experience: A Well-Rounded Approach
Liza Oakley’s expertise extends beyond coaching, encompassing valuable administrative experience in collegiate athletics. During her time at Mount St. Mary’s University, she served as an intern in the athletic development department. This role provided her with insights into the operational aspects of running a successful athletic program.
In her internship, Oakley gained experience in several key areas:
- Alumni engagement: Fostering connections with former student-athletes to build a strong support network for the athletic program
- Marketing: Promoting athletic events and initiatives to increase visibility and attendance
- Student relations: Building positive relationships between the athletic department and the broader student body
- Event operations: Assisting in the planning and execution of sporting events
This administrative experience has undoubtedly enhanced Oakley’s understanding of the broader context in which collegiate athletic programs operate. It has equipped her with valuable skills that complement her coaching abilities, making her a more versatile and effective member of any athletic department.
The Future of Women’s Lacrosse: Oakley’s Potential Impact
As Liza Oakley continues to make her mark in the world of women’s lacrosse coaching, her potential for future impact on the sport is significant. Her diverse experiences, both as a player and coach, position her as a rising star in the coaching ranks.
Innovative Defensive Strategies
Oakley’s success in implementing effective defensive schemes suggests that she may continue to innovate in this area. Her team-unit approach to defense, combined with her ability to develop individual defensive skills, could lead to new tactical developments in women’s lacrosse.
Player Development
With a track record of improving individual player performance, particularly in areas such as ground ball control, caused turnovers, and goaltending, Oakley is poised to continue producing high-caliber athletes. Her ability to quickly elevate player performance could make her a sought-after coach for programs looking to rapidly improve their competitiveness.
Program Building
Oakley’s comprehensive approach to coaching, which includes recruiting, academic oversight, and administrative experience, positions her well for future roles in program development. As she gains more experience, she may have opportunities to take on head coaching positions or other leadership roles within collegiate athletics.
Advancing Women’s Lacrosse
As a young coach with a fresh perspective, Oakley has the potential to contribute to the ongoing growth and development of women’s lacrosse. Her experiences across different programs and levels of play provide her with a broad view of the sport, which could inform future initiatives to expand participation and improve the quality of play at all levels.
In conclusion, Liza Oakley’s rapid rise in the coaching ranks of women’s lacrosse is a testament to her skills, dedication, and comprehensive approach to the sport. From her playing days at Mount Saint Mary’s to her current role at Butler, Oakley has consistently demonstrated an ability to improve team performance, develop individual players, and contribute to the overall success of athletic programs. As she continues to gain experience and refine her coaching philosophy, Oakley is well-positioned to make significant contributions to the future of women’s lacrosse, both on and off the field.
Liza Oakley – Assistant Coach – Women’s Lacrosse Coaches
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Liza Oakley joined the Butler women’s lacrosse program in August of 2021. Before Butler, Oakley worked as an assistant coach at Fresno State and the University of Lynchburg where she began her coaching career. At Fresno State, Oakley coached the defense and goalkeepers during the 2021 season. The Bulldogs advanced to their first-ever Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championship Game with just 18 student-athletes on the active roster.
Fresno State put their name at the top of the MPSF standings in both ground balls and caused turnovers. They had the conference leader in ground balls during the 2021 season and that student-athlete would also become the program’s leader in career ground balls at the completion of her senior campaign. Overall, Fresno State had three players reach double digits in caused turnovers in 2021.
Oakley also worked closely with a first-year starting goalkeeper at Fresno State. She finished the season ranked fourth in the NCAA in saves per game (11.93) and third in total saves (167).
Oakley got her coaching career started in Lynchburg, where she spent two years as an assistant coach for the Hornets. Oakley coached the defense and the draw. In her defensive scheme, the team’s defense ran on a team-unit style and boasted all-state caliber athletes.
In her first season with Lynchburg (2018-19), she ran the offense and the draw.
Oakley coached the top two attackers in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference that season. Her assistant coach duties also included a heavy hand in recruiting, organizing travel and overseeing academic success on the team. In the 2019-20 school year, Oakley helped lead the women’s lacrosse team to its highest team GPA in the last 10 years.
Oakley also has coaching experience with Dodgers Lacrosse in Hartford, CT (2014-15) and Valley Select Lacrosse in Roanoke, VA (2019).
As a student-athlete herself, Oakley was a starting defender for the Mount Saint Mary’s women’s lacrosse team. In 2018, she was the defensive leader for the Mountaineers. She was a part of the third-best scoring defense in Division I women’s lacrosse that season. Oakley also was a three-time NEC All-Academic selection as a student-athlete.
Oakley served as an intern with the athletic’s development department at Mount St. Mary’s. In this role, she helped with alumni engagement, marketing, student relations, and helped conduct the operation side of sporting events.
