Cambridge, Mass.—Director of Athletics Stephanie Smyrl announces big changes for the Lynx athletic department which coincides with the University's larger mission and support for the future of Lesley athletics.  Smyrl and the rest of the athletics department welcome two new head coaches to the staff, along with the elevation of three current positions from part time to full time status. 

"We are thrilled to add two more full time coaches and a full time athletic trainer to our staff this academic year," says Director of Athletics Stephanie Smyrl.  "This will add depth to our department all year and provide an even greater experience for our student-athletes.  The promotion of Jessica Russo from assistant to head coach makes three alums serving as head coaches for the Lynx, which is a direct reflection of their profound experiences as student-athletes on campus. The support we are receiving is noticeable and we are very excited about the near future of Lesley Athletics," Smyrl concluded.

New additions to the Lynx staff include the hiring of full time women's basketball head coach Madison Flowers, and the promotion of women's tennis assistant coach Jessica Russo to the head coaching role. 

Flowers is set to lead the Lynx women's basketball program following a 10-year stint at NECC conference foe Eastern Nazarene College. She spent the first five seasons as an assistant coach for the Lions, and was promoted to Associate Head Coach in 2016 following her successes and dedication to the program.

Lynx Alum Jessica Russo 19' joined the women's tennis team as an assistant coach immediately following graduation and has been a strong force the past two seasons with the program.  Russo was welcomed as the next head women's tennis coach in August of 2021 and will help guide the program as it transitions into the GNAC conference.

Current men's basketball coach and alum Devon Mayo 17', who enters his third season at the helm and fourth overall with the program was elevated to full time status as of August 2021.  Mayo looks to set a foundation with the men's basketball program with a strong recruiting class coming in and as the first ever full time men's basketball coach in Lesley history. 

In addition, head athletic trainer Sarah Rodger who began her part time work in the fall of 2020 was elevated to full time status as of July 2021.  Rodger has already raised the standards of the sports medicine department in her short tenure and proves her organization and knowledge to benefit the Lynx student-athletes and department.

The Lesley athletic department gets underway next week when fall sports begin moving back to campus for the start of pre-seasons.  After taking the fall of 2020 off from competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the student-athletes and staff are excited to get back to competing and representing Lesley University.