Meet the Generals - Coach Gwen Alexander

While the Generals are finishing up their exams and working their way back into lacrosse mode, we wanted to share a little bit of the story of the final member of our coaching staff…

Gwen Alexander is in her second season working with the Generals lacrosse program and her third working with the field hockey program here at W&L.  Gwen brings a wealth of knowledge to both programs and does so in her own way of brutal honesty mixed with encouragement that all of the girls can’t help but love!

Gwen while working at ODU!

 Gwen was a field hockey goalkeeper in college where she played for West Chester University graduating in 1973 with her bachelor’s degree.  From 1972 to 1984 Gwen was a member of the US National Field Hockey team.  During her time on the team Gwen participated in two Olympic games, winning a bronze medal in 1984 at the Los Angeles games.

While Gwen was clearly a distinguished player on the field, she was also a distinguished coach on the sidelines.  From 1980-1989 she served as the head field hockey coach and assistant lacrosse coach at Temple University.  She was inducted into the Temple Hall of Fame this past fall with the rest of the 1984 women’s lacrosse team for winning the school’s first ever NCAA title.

Gwen's days at UPenn!

After her stint at Temple, Gwen moved on to become the head field hockey coach at the Penn Charter School.  She held this post for 8 years while also teaching, coaching USA Futures, and working as the US National Team Goalkeeping Coach from 1989-1993.

Gwen continued her college coaching career in 1999 when she started as an assistant coach at the University of Pennsylvania.  She would remain at Penn until 2005 helping the team to an Ivy League title.  Gwen then moved on to Old Dominion University where she worked primarily with the goalkeepers in 2006 and 2007.

Gwen now lives in Lexington with her husband Chuck.  Both the field hockey and lacrosse teams are happy to have her on our sidelines!

Gwen will be ready to go with all the other Generals on Saturday as we take on Lynchburg for Senior Day!  Check the blog next week for a celebration of our seniors!