WATERVILLE, Maine —- Peri West has been named the head women’s lacrosse coach at Thomas College, Director of Athletics David Roussel announced Tuesday.
West begins the job next Monday.
A Boston native, West comes to Thomas after four years at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas. She started the Hendrix program, the first collegiate women’s lacrosse program in Arkansas. After spending the 2013 season recruiting, the Warriors posted back-to-back 4-10 seasons in 2014 and 2015 and an 8-8 mark in 2016.
“I am excited and honored to be the next women’s lacrosse coach at Thomas College,” West said in a news release. “I want to thank President [Laurie] Lachance and Athletic Director David Roussel and the entire search committee for this opportunity, and for believing in my vision for the future of Thomas College women’s lacrosse. I look forward to building on the school’s great tradition and working with the talented student-athletes in the program.”
In addition to a making the move back to New England, West will serve as a member of the coaching staff for the Colombian National Team in July, assisting in preparations for the Lacrosse World Cup in England in July 2017.
“Peri’s background as a player and coach at Division III institutions is very strong, [and] we are happy to welcome her back to New England where she had success as a student-athlete and head coach,” Roussel said in the release. “Peri’s qualifications for the position are excellent, and the Selection Committee and I are convinced that the future of our program is in great hands.”
West also guided the launch of the varsity program at former North Atlantic Conference member Mount Ida College. In three years of varsity competition, West guided the Mustangs to a 21-26 record and three consecutive trips to the Greater Northeast Athletic Conference Tournament.
West spent three seasons as an assistant coach for her alma mater Wheaton College. While playing for Wheaton, West was named team captain twice and helped capture the program’s first two New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference title before graduating in 2004.