DEMOREST, Ga. - Piedmont University named Brooke Thacker head women's lacrosse coach Monday, elevating Thacker from her previous post as assistant coach. Thacker joined the Piedmont staff in 2021 and enters her third season with the Lions in the fall of 2023. 

"We are very excited to announce Brooke Thacker as our new head women's lacrosse coach," Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Jim Peeples said. "Brooke has been an important part of the growth and success of the program over the past two years working alongside Coach McKay. Her work on the field and in the recruitment of the last two recruiting classes made this decision an easy one for everyone at the University. I am confident that Brooke will continue the upward trajectory of the women's lacrosse program under her leadership." 

The Lady Lions were 12-7 last season, earning a trip to the USA South semifinals. Piedmont defeated Pfeiffer in the quarterfinals with a convincing 18-9 victory at home and had five individuals earn all-conference honors. 

"I am very excited to take the next step in my coaching career here at Piedmont and I am very grateful that I am able to continue to work with this hardworking and talented group of young women," Thacker said. "I want to thank Kirsten for being an amazing mentor the past two years and for preparing me for this next step. I also want to thank Jim Peeples for having the confidence in me to be the next leader of this program. Everyone at Piedmont has been so welcoming from the very start and I am lucky to continue my career at Piedmont."

Thacker was a five-year member of the Roanoke College women's lacrosse team serving as a captain from 2016-18. She was a defender who had 48 ground balls in her career including 22 her senior season and forced 36 caused turnovers with 21 in 2018.

She earned her bachelor of arts in criminal justice with a minor in psychology from Roanoke College in 2018.