Coach Tamlyn Tills was named Midwest Conference Coach of the Year by her peers in both women’s basketball and women’s golf for the first time in her 10-year career at Lake Forest College.

“This honor is a direct result of my staff and my team in both sports,” said Tills. “The young women on the basketball and golf team are hopefully an indication of me and my personality, but also what the College stands for and what it is that we want to accomplish. When all of that happens, and you win a little bit here and there, that’s how you become coach of the year.”

Coach Tills led the women’s basketball team to the MWC Tournament final, which was the first appearance for Lake Forest in 10 years. Under her direction, Kelsey Burton, a freshman guard, was named a First-Team All-MWC honoree and the league’s Newcomer of the Year. Additionally, Hannah O’Day, a junior forward, was named a Second Team All-MWC honoree. The Foresters only lost three seniors to graduation.

The women’s golf program also had a terrific season after placing third at the MWC Championships. A large part of this success was due to the first-year class Coach Tills recruited.  Freshman Faith Jung was named Midwest Conference Newcomer of the Year and was the top finisher for the Foresters at the tournament with a 54-hole score of 260, the second-best in program history. Sophomore Kaitlyn Gray and freshman Amanda Lee also had a great showing at the tournament and earned All-MWC honors for their performance.

“I’m very humbled by the peer validation because although we weren’t the best team in the conference, other coaches recognized what we accomplished.  I am just very humbled by the fact that I received this and feel very honored.  If I never get one again, who cares as long as my kids are happy, but this meant a ton,” commented Tills.

Congratulations, Coach!

Other Forester Features