Kathy Taylor: The Lacrosse Coach Who Built Winning Programs and Lasting Leaders

Kathy Taylor established herself as one of the most respected figures in women’s lacrosse through a career that spanned high school, Division III, Division II, and Division I competition. As a college women’s lacrosse coach, including her tenure at Colgate University, Taylor became known for programs that combined competitive success with a leadership culture that endured long after players moved on.

Former players and colleagues consistently describe a coach whose impact extended beyond tactics and training plans. They speak about mentorship, integrity, and an ability to bring people together across roles and generations.

One former player reflected on Kathy Taylor’s coaching career in simple, direct terms.

“Just huge congratulations on everything that you’ve accomplished in your coaching career,” she said. “Definitely one of the best in the business to ever do it.”

Her appreciation extended beyond the field.

“What you did for the game, what you did for me and my teammates, I am extremely grateful to have you as a mentor in my life, not only in lacrosse but how you lead your families and your communities.”

Building the Game From the Ground Up

Taylor’s influence on lacrosse began well before her time at the collegiate level. Former players credit her with helping establish and grow girls’ youth lacrosse programs that became pipelines for competitive success.

“Starting FM girls youth lacrosse was huge,” one former player said. “What a dynasty that program has become thanks to you many, many years ago.”

That foundation shaped not only athletes, but future coaches and leaders who carried those standards forward.

Creating Coaches, Not Just Players

Lindsay Abbott Burns, a SUNY Cortland graduate from the class of 2012, described Taylor’s mentorship as pivotal to her own coaching career.

“I had the privilege of attending two Final Fours with Coach Taylor,” Burns said. “After I graduated, I went and coached at Bates College and then had the privilege of coming back and coaching underneath Kathy, which was an amazing experience and truthfully set me up to be in the coaching world to this day.”

Taylor’s accessibility remained constant even as careers diverged.

“I know at the end of the day, I can always pick up the phone and call you and you’ll have some words of wisdom for me,” Burns said.

Even small moments became part of the shared culture.

“She pretty much coined me with the nickname Rabbit,” Burns added. “To this day I have all my friends still call me Rabbit.”

Leadership Across Every Level

Colleagues who worked alongside Coach Kathy Taylor point to her consistency as a leader, regardless of setting.

“You showed tremendous success at every level that you coached,” said Ricky Fried. “You were a great leader for our organization. But most importantly, you were a great leader to not only student athletes but other coaches, mentors to them, and showed them how to be a good person.”

Administrators echoed that view, noting that Taylor’s reputation followed her wherever she coached.

“She has been a winner everywhere she’s ever been,” one administrator said. “Part of what makes Kathy so amazing is her kindness to everyone and her integrity.”

A Career Measured in People

In women’s lacrosse, careers are often summarized by records and championships. Kathy Taylor’s career resists that compression. It is reflected in the players who became coaches, the assistants who became leaders, and the programs that continued to thrive long after she moved on.

That is the mark of a lacrosse coach whose influence outlasted the scoreboard.