Former TCNJ All-American Elizabeth Morrison lands first head coaching job with Hartford women’s lacrosse
When Elizabeth Morrison wasn’t setting records on the lacrosse field at The College of New Jersey, she was preparing for a career in biology.
As Morrison was struggling with her cover letter in applying for lab jobs she took a break and decided to shadow TCNJ assistant coach Robyn Selbst around the lacrosse office.
“I knew from that moment that I wanted to go into coaching,’’ said Morrison. “I guess I never realized that coaching was its own career path, but I knew that continuing in athletics and providing future players the opportunity I had at TCNJ was my dream.’’
Morrison, who graduated in 2018, began to realize her dream as an assistant at Trinity. After a couple years as an assistant at Hartford, she has been chosen to be the Hawks’ new head lacrosse coach.
“I’m both excited and nervous to take over the program at Hartford,’’ Morrison stated. “I’m excited to continue building on the foundation that Jen (Nardi) and I created over the past two years, knowing that her mentorship has prepared me for this new role.’’
She had a pretty good mentor at TCNJ in Hall of Fame coach Sharon Pfluger.
“I’m also excited that the University chose me as the head coach, and am gracious for their support moving forward,’’ Morrison said. “As Sharon Pfluger always said before games “if you’re nervous because you care, if you weren’t nervous it would be a problem”. I care about our team, the sport of lacrosse, and athletics as a foundation in life. I know that being nervous will help me be successful.’’
A four-time first team All-America as a player, she never backed down from a challenge and is probably the greatest defensive player ever for the Lions.
She was the two-time National Defensive Player of the Year, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year in the New Jersey Athletic Conference and a four-time All-NJAC first team selection.
Morrison also continues to hold every defensive record at TCNJ. She is the all-time leader in ground balls (323), caused turnovers (260) and draw controls (297).
It was the competitive drive that continues to motivate Morrison as a coach.
“My intensity as a player has transitioned into motivational coaching,’’ stated Morrison, who was also an All-American in field hockey. “I’ve found that players are able to put in that 100% intensity when they feel confident and supported on the field. I try to focus on positive reinforcement and encouraging words.’’
As great a player as Morrison was her game was about the basics and that is what she likes to relate to her players. The ultimate dream is to build a TCNJ-caliber program at Hartford.
“I think it’s important to build up from the fundamentals, so players can confidently rely on their skills to execute what they want and how they want to during games,’’ said Morrison. “My goal is to create an environment where players aren’t afraid to fail and come to practice with the energy and excitement to get better. It would be my dream to create a program that resembles the legacy and traditions of TCNJ lacrosse and field hockey.’’
