Story courtesy of Stevenson Athletics

OWINGS MILLS, Md. - Stevenson University Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Kathy Railey, one of the winningest coaches in NCAA women's lacrosse history, has announced her retirement from collegiate coaching.

"I feel so honored to have made an impact on the unbelievable number of young women I have coached over my 30+ year career in athletics," said Railey.  "Nothing has meant more to me than the success and mentorship on and off the field of these incredible student-athletes. I am a product of the DIII experience and feel fortunate to have spent so many years living and preaching the value of this premier athletic and educational experience."

Known as a "rebuilder," Railey has put programs on the map around the country.  Her successes at Western Maryland College (McDaniel College), Eastern Connecticut State University and Villa Julie/Stevenson are renowned.  Railey concludes her collegiate coaching career ranked in the Top 15 Winningest Active Coaches in NCAA Division III and in the Top 30 Winningest Active Coaches across all three NCAA Divisions; she also ends her tenure in the Top 20 Winningest Coaches of All-time in DIII and in the Top 40 Winningest Coaches of All-time across all three NCAA Divisions. She finishes her career with 347 NCAA total wins, 268 in women's lacrosse and 79 in field hockey.

Railey has proudly coached many conference Players of the Year, numerous national and regional All-Americans, and many collegiate Hall of Fame inductees in both field hockey and lacrosse. She also has a vast coaching tree, with many former players who have served as coaches in NCAA and high school ranks, highlighted with four former players and assistant coaches currently serving as NCAA women's lacrosse coaches.

In addition to her contributions in field hockey and lacrosse, Railey has served on multiple NCAA advisory and IWLCA/NFHCA committees in both field hockey and lacrosse but is most proud of her involvement in the creation and implementation of the very first NCAA Women's Lacrosse Rule Book. She served more than ten years on the NCAA Women's Lacrosse Rules Committee, three years as Chair, and led the committee as it shepherded the game through the pandemic.

Following her stints on the NCAA Women's Lacrosse Rules Committee, Railey created the inaugural Women's Lacrosse Rules Education Coordinator position in 2022-23. Contracting with the NCAA, Railey produced scripts and video content weekly as a service for NCAA coaches, players, and officials to cohesively understand and implement the rules into the NCAA women's lacrosse game.

Serving as an Associate Athletic Director and the NCAA Senior Woman Administrator for the past 18 years, Railey has aided and administratively supported the growth of the athletic department and the overall Stevenson University athletic experience.

"I am so honored to have worked alongside the legendary Brett Adams on the amazing growth of the Stevenson University's athletics reputation and program development," said Railey. "To be able to stand side-by-side with a visionary like Brett, who values and respects women in sport as an integral part of the overall experience and development of a university's academic and athletic profile, is a blessing.  I am forever grateful for his friendship, mentorship, guidance, and for the opportunities he, and Stevenson University, has granted me in the process."
 
Railey was inducted into the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame – Greater Baltimore Chapter in 2007.  She competed as team captain in both field hockey and women's lacrosse at Gettysburg College and was inducted into the Loch Raven Hall of Fame for field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse. She will be transitioning into the role of Senior Associate Director of Admissions and Head Lacrosse Coach at St. Timothy's School in Stevenson, Maryland.