BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – University President Dr. William M. Downs has named Kathleen Mirgon Crum the next head coach of Gardner-Webb's women's lacrosse program, the Department of Athletics announced on Wednesday. Mirgon Crum becomes the fourth head coach in program history.
 
"Less than a decade old, Gardner-Webb's lacrosse program still has a lot of growing to do and a lot of doubters to prove wrong," said Downs. "That's why I'm so excited about the addition of Kathleen Mirgon Crum as our new head coach. She's confident, aggressive, and hungry to win. I think her leadership style will be a big draw for recruits and I believe her total dedication to the 'Dawgs will result in teams that compete for championships year in and year out. New era. New approach. New results. I can't wait to see our team take the field in February!"
 
Mirgon Crum joins Gardner-Webb after two seasons as the head coach at Pfeiffer University. During her tenure in Misenheimer, Mirgon Crum coached four all-conference players, including Alexis Murriel, who led NCAA Division III in ground balls per game (6.19) and ranked second nationally in caused turnovers per game (4.31) during the 2022 season. 
 
In Mirgon Crum's first season at the helm, the 2022 Pfeiffer Falcons set a school record for caused turnovers in a season (219), while Murriel set a program record for caused turnovers in a single game (8). This past season, Mirgon Crum signed a seven-member recruiting class, Pfeiffer's largest since its DIII transition in 2017.

"Coach Crum's knowledge, skills, and abilities, combined with her passion and enthusiasm, set her apart in our national search," said Vice President & Director of Athletics Dr. Andrew T. Goodrich. "I am confident that under her leadership, she will elevate the Gardner-Webb women's lacrosse program to a championship level."

Pfeiffer hired Mirgon Crum in 2021 after a one-year stint as an assistant at Piedmont University, where she helped guide the Lady Lions to a USA South West Division Regular Season Championship with a perfect 6-0 record. Her collegiate coaching career began with two seasons as a graduate assistant coach and recruiting specialist with Bloomsburg University's nationally-ranked Division II program (2018-2020).

In addition to her collegiate experience, Mirgon Crum also possesses extensive club coaching experience. She worked as an assistant coach with NXT LC Girls Lacrosse while at Bloomsburg, the head coach of the Atlanta Storm Girls Lacrosse Club while at Piedmont, and the head coach of the Lake Murray Rapids Lacrosse Club Elite while at Pfeiffer.
 
Mirgon Crum played collegiately at Shippensburg University where during her four-year career she earned IWLCA Academic Honor Roll recognition as a senior in 2018 and was named a three-time PSAC Scholar Athlete. After graduation, she played internationally for the AIST Amsterdam Lacrosse Tour in 2018, competing in Amsterdam, Paris, and Belgium.
 
In high school, Mirgon Crum was named a US Lacrosse All-American in 2014 while playing at Chapin High School in South Carolina. She was also named the SCHSL Midfielder of the Year in 2014 and was a two-time member of the South Carolina National Team (2012 & 2013). She graduated as the state's record holder for goals in a season (89) and still holds state records for single-season ground balls (166 in 2014) and career ground balls (543, 2011-2014). She is also Chapin High School's career record holder for points (308) and goals (224).
 
Mirgon Crum completed her master's degree in exercise science in 2020 from Bloomsburg. She earned a bachelor's in communications/journalism with a dual minor in exercise science and coaching from Shippensburg in 2018. While coaching, Mirgon Crum taught in the exercise science department at Piedmont and in the health and physical education department at Pfeiffer.
 
"I am looking forward to joining both the Gardner-Webb family and the Boiling Springs community!" said Mirgon Crum. "I would like to thank Dr. Goodrich and President Downs for the opportunity to be here, as well as their belief in me to continue to elevate the Runnin' Bulldogs women's lacrosse program. From the moment I stepped on campus, this place felt immediately like home. I am beyond eager to get to work at building a winning culture on and off the turf."