Brighde Dougherty ’04 has been promoted to head coach of William Smith lacrosse.
Named the interim head coach in June of 2012, Dougherty succeeded a legend in collegiate coaching, Pat Genovese. Dougherty led William Smith to a 10-7 record in the 2013 season, marking the program's first double digit win total since 2009. Her Herons posted a 7-2 mark in the Liberty League, tying for second place in the conference standings. Under her leadership, William Smith's lineup was honored with an IWLCA All-America, three IWLCA All-Region, and four All-Liberty League awards, including a conference-high three first team selections. In the classroom, Dougherty's Herons were just as acclaimed, earning eight Liberty League All-Academic honors.
Dougherty spent two seasons as the head coach at Pomona Pitzer, leading the program from a club to a Division III varsity. In 2006, Doughtery also served as a head coach for the girls’ varsity lacrosse team at St. Rose High School in Belmar, N.J.
Dougherty returned to her alma mater after working for Outward Bound Los Angeles. She created an intensive team leadership training program for Outward Bound. Dougherty previously spent four seasons as an assistant coach for the Herons.
A leader in the growth of youth lacrosse in New Jersey, Dougherty designed and managed the first lacrosse camp for girls along the Jersey Shore. She also established a thriving indoor high school lacrosse league which draws teams from all over Central New Jersey.
As a student-athlete, Dougherty led the Herons to a 61-9 record, two league titles, three NCAA Tournament appearances, and the 2001 ECAC Mid-Atlantic Championship. An IWLCA/US Lacrosse All-American, she totaled 85 goals and 26 assists for 111 career points.
Also a former William Smith tennis player, Dougherty has taught private and group tennis lessons to people of all ages.
A Sea Girt, N.J., native, Dougherty graduated from William Smith with a bachelor’s degree in media and society. In 2009, she earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Azusa Pacific University.
