Lake Forest College announced on Monday the additions of Maggie Zentgraf and Phil Dodson to the Athletic Department staff as head women's and men's lacrosse coaches, respectively.
"This is an extremely exciting time for the College and Forester Lacrosse," noted Lake Forest Vice President for Athletics and Career Advancement Jackie Slaats. "In Coach Dodson and Coach Zentgraf we have two excellent individuals to lead our programs' transition into varsity status next year. In addition, we are just weeks away from the completion of Mohr Field, which will give us an additional artificial turf venue for games and practices. With everything the College has to offer academically and athletically, along with the excitement of being part of a new program, Lake Forest has quickly become an attractive option for top high school lacrosse players in the Chicagoland area and across the country."
Zentgraf has been a member of the Lakeshore Lacrosse and Hinsdale Central High School coaching staffs since 2015-16. She was named Lakeshore Lacrosse's Coach of the Year in 2019 and, during her time with the club, worked with multiple athletes who went on to play for top NCAA programs. She also led her Lakeshore Lacrosse team, which is ranked #1 in the state of Illinois, to an undefeated record last fall. Prior to being named the head coach at Hinsdale Central last year, Zentgraf helped lead the Red Devils to a state title in 2018 and to semifinal appearances in each of her other three years as offensive, midfield, face-off, and substitution coordinator.
Zentgraf's coaching career also includes a stint at Beloit College, where she became the interim head coach during her first year with the program. Beloit was 19-15 overall and 11-6 in the Midwest Women's Lacrosse Conference during her two seasons on staff and the 2015 Buccaneers made the program's only appearance in the four-team MWLC Tournament.
After earning First-Team All-American honors at Charlottesville High School in Virginia, Zentgraf attended the University of Notre Dame and helped the Fighting Irish capture a Big East title and make three appearances in the NCAA Tournament. She earned Big East Honor Roll accolades and was a team captain as a senior. Her playing career also included a tryout for the U.S. Lacrosse National Team.
"We're proud to name Maggie Zentgraf the inaugural head coach of Forester Women's Lacrosse," commented Lake Forest College Interim Director of Athletics Blake Theisen. "She impressed the hiring committee with her energy, confidence, and passion for the game. We feel her playing experience in Division I and coaching experience in Division III, along with a clear plan for recruiting to Lake Forest and professional connections throughout the club and high school lacrosse ranks, will bring immediate credibility to our program."
"I could not be more excited for the opportunity to work on building an outstanding program at Lake Forest College," stated Zentgraf. "The school's academic excellence, commitment to athletics, and excitement around the growth of lacrosse make it an ideal fit for me, both professionally and personally. I look forward to working with the players individually to help them achieve their goals on and off the field."
Dodson comes to the College after four years as the men's lacrosse program's first head coach at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After a year of recruiting, he led the Cougars to a 7-8 record in their first season and a 9-7 record in year two. The 2019 team also became Chatham's first spring sport to reach the semifinals of the conference tournament. The Cougars' 2020 season was cut short after just seven games by the COVID-19 pandemic. Dodson has also been a head coach at the club level since 2015.
No stranger to collegiate lacrosse in the Midwest, Dodson spent the 2013 season as the defensive coordinator at Carthage College (Kenosha, Wis.) before filling the same role at Aurora University (Aurora, Ill.) for the next three years. Those teams combined for an overall record of 62-19 and a Midwest Lacrosse Conference (MLC) mark of 31-1 with three league titles and NCAA Division III Tournament appearances.
A native of Wilmette, Illinois, Dodson had a stellar career at New Trier High School before becoming a four-year starter and two-year captain at the University of Illinois. The defender also earned Scholar-Athlete honors and a pair of All-American awards from the Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association. He later served as the team's head coach for three years with a pair of trips to the national tournament.
"We're excited to name Phil Dodson as the next head coach of Forester Men's Lacrosse," began Theisen. "He brings a wealth of Division III lacrosse coaching experience to the College. Throughout the interview process Coach Dodson proved beyond a doubt he has the enthusiasm, vision, and coaching talent to restart our men's lacrosse program and have us on a fast-track to success from day one."
"I am extremely excited for this opportunity to be a part of Lake Forest's 'Tradition of Excellence.' Vice President Slaats and Interim Director of Athletics Theisen have shown a true commitment to student development with initiatives like the Forester Game Plan (four-year career planning program) and I look forward to leading the members of my team in a similar fashion on and off the field. Additionally, the MLC is a great home for Forester Lacrosse and I look forward to immediately competing for conference titles and national tournament berths, just as I was fortunate to experience in my years as an assistant in the league."
Founded in 1857, Lake Forest College is a selective residential, national liberal arts institution located 30 miles north of downtown Chicago. The College has 1,570 students representing nearly every state and more than 80 countries. Lake Forest is ranked in the top 100 liberal arts colleges by U.S. News & World Report and #45 for Best Value. In addition, The Princeton Review recently ranked the College #9 in the nation for Best Internships and #12 for Best Alumni Network.