Elon Women’s Lacrosse Names First Head Coach

ELON, N.C. – Josh Hexter, a member of the Duke women’s lacrosse staff since 2004, has been named the first head coach of the Phoenix women’s lacrosse program as announced by Elon University Director of Athletics Dave Blank.

Hexter will begin his time at Elon, which is set to start competition in the spring of 2014, at the conclusion of his eighth season at Duke. He joined the Blue Devil staff prior to the 2005 campaign and was promoted to associate head coach in 2010.

“Josh has been a loyal and dedicated assistant for the last eight seasons,” said Duke head coach Kerstin Kimel. “He has had a tremendous impact on our program and our student-athletes. I am so proud that he has been named the new head coach at Elon University as it is an outstanding fit for both him professionally and for his family. All of us at Duke Lacrosse will wish Josh the very best and I am confident that he will build a successful and highly competitive program at Elon.”

Since his arrival in Durham, the Blue Devils have amassed a 119-42 record, an average of nearly 15 wins per season, while also totaling three ACC regular season championships, one ACC Tournament title and five appearances in the national semifinals (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2011).

Under Hexter’s guidance, Duke’s offense consistently ranked as one of the best in the country. Since 2005, Duke has averaged just under 14 goals per contest, a jump of nearly four goals per game from the nine seasons prior to his arrival. In addition, the 2009 squad set program single-season records for goals (313), assists (150) and points (463).

“I want to thank everyone here at Duke for an amazing eight years,” said Hexter. “My family and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been a part of the Duke tradition. Being able to assist in the success of the Duke women’s lacrosse team has been a dream come true. I would especially like to thank Kerstin Kimel for giving me the opportunity to come to Duke and join the women’s lacrosse family. The generosity Kerstin and Duke lacrosse has shown to me and my family is held very close to our hearts and will always be appreciated.”

Prior to his arrival at Duke, Hexter served as the head women’s lacrosse coach at Bridgewater State College in Bridgewater, Mass. While at Bridgewater State, the program totaled a 72-42 record and made a trip to the New England Women’s Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) title game in six consecutive seasons. He led the team to two conference championships during this time. In 2003, Bridgewater made the program’s first appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Prior to coaching at Bridgewater, Hexter coached the New England III Team in the National Tournament in the Bay State Games. He also served as an assistant Women’s lacrosse coach at The College of the Holy Cross from 1996-97.

A 1995 graduate of Assumption College, he was a four-year standout defenseman on the lacrosse team, earning team captain and NECLA All-Star honors during his senior campaign. In 1995, Hexter became the first player in Assumption history to earn a spot in the East-West New England All-Star Game.

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