Meredith Black Hometown: Flemington, N.J. Position: Head Coach Experience: First Year Alma Mater: Notre Dame (2004)

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Meredith Black was named the first head coach in Marquette women's lacrosse history on Feb. 4, 2011.

The former Meredith Simon arrives at Marquette after spending the last seven years as an assistant coach at Towson, Notre Dame and the University of California-Berkeley. She helped Towson and Notre Dame to a combined four NCAA Championship appearances and coached one season at Cal where she worked with the Golden Bears' attack and goaltenders.

At Notre Dame from 2008-10, she helped the Irish to a 39-19 record in three seasons, including the 2009 BIG EAST Championship and three NCAA Championship appearances. Black coached four all-Americans (Jillian Byers, Gina Scioscia, Caitlin McKinney and Shaylyn Blaney) during that time and oversaw the 2009 team that set school records for goals (321), assists (150) and points (471), while claiming the BIG EAST title and advancing to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Championship.

She took her first coaching job at Towson in 2005 after a standout career as a student-athlete at Notre Dame, and helped the Tigers to their first Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) title and NCAA Championship berth in school history. Following three years at Towson (2005-07) under head coach Missy Doherty, Black returned to her alma mater as an assistant under Tracy Coyne, for whom she played as an undergraduate.

During her playing career at Notre Dame, Black helped the Fighting Irish to the first two NCAA Championship appearances in school history in 2002 and 2004. She was also the school's first student-athlete to be named an Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) First Team All-American in 2004, while setting the then-Notre Dame single-season scoring mark with 74 points on 46 goals and 28 assists. Black led ND to the NCAA Tournament that season and became the first ND player nominated for the Tewaaraton Award, honoring the nation's top player.

She was also a two-time All-BIG EAST First Team selection (2003 and 2004) and was named the BIG EAST Attack co-Player of the Year in 2004.

The Flemington, N.J., native concluded her career with the Irish first in school history in games played (64), third in goals (109), fourth in assists (49), third in points (158), tied for fourth in ground balls (123) and third in draw controls (91).

Black graduated from Notre Dame with a bachelor's degree in American studies in 2004 and was a four-time dean's list selection. She prepped at Hunterdon Central High School in New Jersey, where she was a three-sport standout in soccer, basketball and lacrosse.

The former Meredith Simon married Adam Black in October of 2010.

What others are saying about Meredith Simon Black...

Theresa Sherry, former head women's lacrosse coach at the University of California-Berkeley:

"Meredith proved herself immediately as an asset to our program at Cal, and she is a perfect choice to lead Marquette's new program. Meredith's competitiveness and her innovative lacrosse mind will quickly make Marquette a force to reckon with on the national scene. We are thrilled for Meredith and her family, and cannot wait to watch her excel in the Big East as she already has as a player and an assistant coach."

Tracy Coyne, former head women's lacrosse coach at the University of Notre Dame:

"I am thrilled Meredith Simon Black has been chosen as the first head coach of Marquette's women's lacrosse program. She is a perfect fit for Marquette. It takes a special person to lead a program from its inception. Meredith has the drive, the enthusiasm and knowledge of the game necessary to build a successful program. She will do it with integrity and passion. I have had the pleasure of coaching Meredith as a player and working with her on my staff. She is a rising star as a coach. Meredith will do great things at Marquette."

Missy Doherty, head women's lacrosse coach at Penn State University:

"Meredith is one of the top young coaches in the country. Her love of coaching and her tremendous work ethic will be a true asset to Marquette. It was my pleasure to coach with her for three years, and I am extremely confident she will bring quick success to the program at Marquette."

Meredith Simon Black's Coaching Experience