Anderson Selects Mackey as Women’s Lacrosse Head Coach

The Anderson University athletics department and athletic director Marcie Taylor have tabbed Russell Mackey as the women's lacrosse head coach, which was announced on Friday.

Mackey spent the last 14 seasons as the girl's lacrosse head coach at Mount Notre Dame High School in Cincinnati. During that time, Mackey led the Cougars to eight Greater Girls Catholic League (GGCL) titles, while putting together a 194-47 record. The Cougars earned four Elite 8 appearances and one Final Four appearance in the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Division I Tournament. Mackey was named the GGCL Coach of the Year eight times. He was also selected as the Cincinnati Enquirer Girl's Lacrosse Division I Coach of the Year in 2017 and 2018.

"We're thrilled to have a head coach with such significant and successful competitive experience in lacrosse, along with strong connections to high school girl's lacrosse coaches, to grow our women's program," Taylor said. "Coach Mackey understands the unique ethos of AU, will adjust to DIII recruitment strategies quickly, while mentoring the student-athletes rigorously on the field and in the classroom.  Coach Mackey possesses leadership and relational qualities, along with the knowledge necessary to elevate the competitiveness of the RAVEN women's lacrosse program."

Mackey also spent the last three seasons as head coach of the Under Armour All-American Midwest Team, which was comprised of the top players and coaches in a 15-state region. He was also a head coach for one of the four showcase teams during the U.S. Lacrosse All-American Showcase in 2012 in which his team won the showcase. In 2019, Mackey coached the all-state Ohio team in the U.S. Lacrosse Women's National Tournament, which finished undefeated in their division. He also led the Ohio all-state team during the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

Mackey helped co-found the Cincy Royals club girls program in 2012 and spent seven seasons as the head coach. During that time, 40 players went on to play at the collegiate level.

"I'm excited to join the Anderson University Ravens family and keep growing the sport of women's lacrosse, and serve others, which is core to its mission," Mackey said.

One of his greatest joys is that of helping grow the sport of lacrosse with his efforts as an active member of the U.S. Lacrosse Chapter in Ohio over the years, in which he's served a number of roles.

"I just love it when we can help new programs and schools get off the ground with stick/equipment grants, provide scholarships to new officials, recognize young athletes for their performance on the field as All-Americans or in the classroom as All-Academics, or when we get to recognize them for giving back to their communities and to the sport they love with awards like The Jackie Pitts Award," Mackey added.

Mackey graduated from Babson in College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and Communication. He then earned a Master of Business degree in General Administration in Marketing with University of Maryland University College.

Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.