McLean County Times

Illinois Wesleyan University has announced the resignation of Grainne Kelly, head coach of the women's lacrosse team. Director of Athletics Mike Wagner confirmed her decision to step down, which was accepted on Friday, May 3. Kelly is leaving her position to explore other professional opportunities.

In a statement, Kelly expressed her emotions regarding her departure: "I have made the difficult decision to step down as head coach of a program that I truly love and that has meant the world to me for nearly 10 years," she said. She emphasized that Illinois Wesleyan and its community will remain significant in her life.

Wagner acknowledged Kelly's contributions to the program: "I want to thank Grainne for all that she has done for our women's lacrosse program and our student-athletes," he said. He highlighted her leadership qualities and dedication both on and off the field. Wagner added, "Grainne was a tremendous player on the field for us in the program's infancy and has put it in a great position for future success."

During her tenure, Kelly led the team to notable achievements, including securing their first winning record since 2021 with a 9-8 overall performance this season. Under her guidance, three players were named to the All-CCIW teams: Britney Maldonado and Sarah Riepe as First Team selections, with Devon Hanson earning Second Team honors.

Kelly's coaching career at Illinois Wesleyan also saw seven players receiving All-CCIW accolades, with additional honors during her time as an assistant coach in 2022. Her leadership brought recognition to IWU through numerous awards, including their first Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association National Division III Offensive Player of the Week title.

The university plans to conduct a national search immediately to find a successor for Kelly's role.