In a pivotal development for Eastern Michigan University’s lacrosse program, Head Coach Sara Tisdale has announced her resignation July 29, by EMU Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee. The university will promptly launch a national search for the program’s third head coach.
"I want to thank Sara for her dedication to getting the lacrosse program up and running and building a solid foundation for its future," Wetherbee said in an interview with Eastern Athletics. "We have a bright future ahead with this program as we shift our focus toward bringing in a leader who will continue our push towards our ultimate goal of capturing the Mid-American Conference title."
Tisdale, appointed head coach on June 21, 2022, has been behind the team’s early achievements. In just two seasons, she guided the Eagles from a challenging 2-14 debut in 2023 to a notable 7-9 record in 2024. The team’s league performance improved significantly, advancing from a 1-7 finish in 2023 to a commendable 4-2 finish in 2024, tying for second place in the MAC standings.
"I want to thank Scott Wetherbee for the incredible opportunity to get EMU Lacrosse off the ground," added Tisdale in an interview with Eastern Athletics. "I have loved my time as an Eagle and am grateful for the dedication and hard work of our student-athletes and staff. I look forward to watching the program continue to grow, thrive, and be crowned MAC Champions in 2025. Additionally, I'm thankful for being able to help create a culture of inclusivity through the University's DEIB efforts."
Despite its challenges, the Eagles inaugural 2023 season set the stage for future success. The young team, primarily composed of first-year students, celebrated its first victory with a 12-7 win over Delaware State University on March 7, 2023, at Scicluna Field. The season was concluded with a spirited 17-12 win against the University of Detroit Mercy on April 29, 2023. Despite a challenging record, the team’s competitive spirit was evident in three narrow one-goal losses.
By 2024, the team had made impressive strides, earning second place in the MAC and securing the third seed in the conference tournament, though falling in their debut game to Robert Morris University. The season was marked by numerous milestones, including the program’s first consecutive wins and road victories. Notable games included a 16-5 win at Howard University on Feb. 25 and an 18-6 triumph at Delaware State on Feb. 28. The Eagles also achieved back-to-back conference wins with an 11-10 victory at the University of Akron on March 24 and a 12-11 win over Kent State University on March 31.
Individually, the team saw significant recognition, with Sydney Lawrence being named the 2024 MAC Defensive Player of the Year and Maddie Porter earning the 2024 MAC Freshman of the Year. Porter led NCAA Division I with an average of 4.20 ground balls per game, highlighting her defensive strength.
Under Tisdale’s leadership, the lacrosse program also excelled academically. In 2023, the team achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.723, the second-highest among all NCAA Division I teams, just behind Harvard University. The academic success continued in 2024 with a GPA of 3.738, likely ranking among the top nationally.
As EMU begins searching for a new head coach, Tisdale's solid foundation ensures a promising future for the lacrosse program. The Eagles community is optimistic about the next chapter and hopes to capture the MAC title soon.
