BRYN ATHYN, Pa. - After building the Bryn Athyn College women's lacrosse team for the last seven seasons, Denise Roessler has decided to step down as the Lions head coach to spend more time with family and shift her focus to prepare the German National Team for the 2022 Lacrosse World Cup. Roessler's resignation was accepted by Director of Athletics Dr. Suzanne Nelson this past week.
Dr. Nelson on Coach Denise Roessler, "Denise has made numerous contributions to the College both on and off the playing field. In addition to being an outstanding coach, she has been a mentor and advocate for her sport and student-athletes. She will be missed. I wish her much happiness and success with her personal and professional goals."
Roessler came to Bryn Athyn in 2015 after 17 seasons at the Division I level, including 16 years and 89 wins at St. Joesph's. Roessler led the Lions to 35 wins and three conference tournament appearances. Roessler is the winngest coach in women's lacrosse history. Under her guidance, 27 student-athletes were named to the all conference teams, including two major award winners with Bri Lennox being named NEAC Rookie of the Year in 2018 and Payton Gormley being named CSAC Player of the Year in 2021.
Coach Roessler on what the program has meant to her, "I feel that the lacrosse program has given more to me then I have given to it, so I am grateful for the opportunity and my time spent here at Bryn Athyn College," Roessler continued to share how there were many similarities between building a Division 1 and Division III program, "The experiences in division one and three are similar in that it's all about the student athletes and inspiring them through the vehicle that is athletics," Roessler continued, "As a coach, at any level we focus on mentoring, building relationships and help guide our players to strive to be the best versions of themselves on and off the field."
Roessler saved her best season for last. She helped coach the Lions to a 4-1 record and secured a second overall seed in the CSAC Championship Tournament. Coach Roessler said on her final chapter and moving on to the next phase of her coaching career, "All the wonderful relationships I have made here and all great people I have encountered at Bryn Athyn College will be what I miss most. Every relationship with every student athlete has meant so much to me and I am very lucky to have a job that allows for the experiences."
Coach Roessler was named the German National Team head coach in January 2020. With the World Cup quickly approaching, it was time to shift her focus on that endeavor while also being more present with her family.
Roessler vision for the program was achieved, "My vision for the program was to inspire players to achieve optimal development and to use that growth to excel in everything WE do. Based on the feedback that I have received from the student athletes both past and present, I believe we achieved our vision and created a winning culture here with the women's lacrosse program. Every person that has participated in this program at any time has contributed to us achieving that goal. I believe that is a good measure of success,"
"I would like to thank President Blair, Suzanne Nelson, and the Bryn Athyn community for the opportunity to participate in coaching such a unique and special group of student athletes over the last 7 years. I am forever thankful to Matt Kennedy for giving me the opportunity to contribute to this program and I sincerely hope that, together with the coaches, we have made a positive impact that will endure," Roessler said, "This program has given me much more than I have given it and for that I will be eternally grateful. Thank you for the terrific memories and I hope to see some great accomplishments in the future. I will always consider myself a Lion!"
A search for a new women's head lacrosse coach is now underway.