Converse Welcomes Taylor Woolard as Women’s Lacrosse Coach

Converse College has selected Taylor Woolard as the head coach for the Valkyries women’s lacrosse team. Woolard comes to Converse from Earlham College (Richmond, Indiana), where she most recently served as the assistant coach.

“We are very fortunate to have found someone with Taylor’s knowledge of and passion for women’s lacrosse. She is committed to developing the entire student-athlete, and she has a niche for helping these athletes reach their true potential, on and off the field,” said Director of Athletics Jenn Bell. “We look forward to bringing her on board, and supporting her as she strives to recruit quality student-athletes and build a strong program for Valkyries lacrosse.”

” is committed to developing the entire student-athlete, and she has a niche for helping these athletes reach their true potential, on and off the field.”

At Earlham, prior to the 2020 women’s lacrosse season being canceled due to COVID-19, Woolard was responsible for overseeing the team’s defensive system, as well as developing practice plans and coordinating the prospective student-athlete days for the program. In addition, she created scouting reports for the team, conducted game film analysis, and managed the team’s social media accounts. Woolard also monitored the student-athletes’ academic progress and represented the department on institutional marketing committees.

“I am honored and excited for the opportunity to lead the women’s lacrosse program at Converse. This institution is rich in tradition and has tremendous leadership and vision. The best is yet to come at Converse and I’m excited to be a part of this new chapter,” said Woolard.

Woolard continues, “I want to thank Director of Athletics Jenn Bell and the search committee for believing in me and my ability to lead this program. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and cannot wait to embark on this journey with the team. I also want to thank my family, friends, and past coaches along the way who have impacted me and supported this dream of mine. It takes an army, and I wouldn’t be half the woman or coach that I am today without their support. God has blessed me with more than I deserve, and I pray He will continue to guide my steps. I am truly humbled and thankful to be a Valkyrie!”

During her two seasons at Ferrum, Woolard was the Panthers’ assistant coach and defensive coordinator. She assisted with all aspects of the program including recruiting, practice planning, game film analysis, coordinating team travel, organizing summer camps, and mentoring student-athletes in both team matters and academics.

Under Woolard’s tutelage, three Ferrum players earned USA South All-Conference honors, with one All-Sportsmanship team selection. Three players were also tabbed with Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) academic honors during Woolard’s stint at Ferrum.

Prior to her time at Ferrum, Woolard was the head coach at Hanover High School in Mechanicsville, Virginia, during the 2017 campaign. She led the Hawks to a 9-8 overall record with 14 players earning all-conference honors and four receiving the nod at all-region selections. She spent the 2014 through 2016 seasons as an assistant coach at Hanover and was the program’s defensive coordinator.

Woolard played one season of collegiate lacrosse at Lynchburg College in 2013, before graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in philosophy with a double minor in business and criminal justice from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2015.

Converse is home to the only NCAA Division II athletic teams in Spartanburg and is a member of Conference Carolinas, whose membership is made up of private colleges and universities across the southeastern United States. Converse recently announced that in fall 2020 it will add a co-ed undergraduate residential program alongside its women’s college, and launch its inaugural men’s athletics teams in fall 2021. The men’s teams currently planned at Converse for the 2021-2022 academic year include basketball, cross country, equestrian (co-ed), esports (co-ed), soccer, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, and volleyball. These men’s teams will be in addition to the 13 NCAA Division II and IHSA women’s teams currently a part of Converse’s athletic team roster.