For some, a coaching journey can be linear, for others, it can be a winding road, and there are not many careers that look like Lindsay Jackson’s.
Lindsay just completed her fourth season as the head field hockey coach at the College of the Holy Cross. Prior to her move to Worcester, Lindsay was at Limestone College where she was the program’s first head coach, taking the helm during Limestone’s inaugural season in 2008. She remained at Limestone for six seasons and in 2010 she assumed the role of Senior Woman Administrator.
Lindsay was a two-sport student-athlete at Mercyhurst University where she competed in field hockey and lacrosse — after graduation, she served as the assistant lacrosse coach at Saint Andrews Presbyterian College. While at Limestone, Lindsay also completed her master's degree from Ohio University in coaching education.
We sat down with Lindsay to hear her unique perspective and about what she’s learned throughout her career.
Question (NFHCA): Tell us about your playing days and what attracted you to Division II.
Answer (Lindsay Jackson): I played at Mercyhurst College, a Division ll school in Pennsylvania, and loved the experience! From the beginning of my search I knew I wanted to play field hockey and lacrosse, and I wanted to study the hospitality industry or business — I aspired to be a chef and work in the restaurant business. My father was a chef and I just loved the high-energy atmosphere, attention to detail in the preparation, and the amazing affect food has on people and our culture. It brings people together, it nourishes our bodies, and can be healing in so many ways. I just always had a passion for food! Mercyhurst really checked all the boxes, I could play field hockey and lacrosse, and they had a hotel restaurant and institutional management program. I went on my visit and loved it! I really felt that I was a better student-athlete by having a demanding schedule with all of the team commitments and always being in the competitive season. Reflecting now on my experience at Mercyhurst, I learned a lot about the importance of balance.
Q (NFHCA): How did you catch the coaching bug? Is it something you’ve always wanted to do?
A (LJ): After I graduated, I went and worked in restaurants and just hated it! I had worked in restaurants since I was 13 years old and this was the first time I wasn’t enjoying it. I felt like I was getting sucked into a place where I wouldn’t be happy. I’ve always loved sports, being outside, being active, and sharing that experience with others. The idea of coaching in college hit me like a ton of bricks — it was exactly where I wanted to be and what I wanted to do. To me, collegiate athletics is so unique, fun, and exciting. I felt that as a student-athlete and it just carried over into what I wanted to pursue after college. I wanted to be a part of that amazing environment of energetic and competitive young people.
Q (NFHCA): You had considerable success at Limestone College, what prompted the change?
A (LJ): My experience at Limestone was the most wholesome and rewarding thing I have ever done in my life and it was an incredible experience within my coaching career. I started the program when I was 24 and was just so passionate about creating something incredible with young women and making a positive impact on their lives. When I was 29, one day I just woke up and was like “wow, I’m 29! Where am I at in my life, is it complete right now?”
As we all know, coaching in college and coaching at any level can be all-consuming, but I felt like something was missing. I was living in South Carolina and my boyfriend was in Massachusetts — through our compromising we decided it was easier for me to make the move and that’s another incredible and fun part about coaching, it can take you anywhere! The decision to make a change from Limestone was a very complete decision. It was a great opportunity professionally and more importantly, personally. I am married and we have an 11-month-old — life is beautiful!
Q (NFHCA): At Limestone College you were also the senior woman administrator (SWA), what did that experience teach you about college athletics?
A (LJ): I loved that opportunity and the time I was the SWA at Limestone! The experience I gained there made me — and continues to make me — a better coach and member of my athletic department. It forced me to look at situations from a checks-and-balances standpoint. It gave me a wider perspective. Meeting regularly with other student-athletes, with SWA’s from other schools, with athletic directors and presidents, and being involved in developing the mission of the department, helped open my eyes and my mind to the many facets of collegiate athletics. I loved the involvement with the other student-athletes and the administrative view point I gained. It really gave me a comprehensive understanding of an athletic department.
We can get so caught up in what we need, what my program needs, and how decisions affect us, that we don’t always see how it affects other stakeholders on our campus. It was an incredibly enlightening experience.
Q (NFHCA): From a coaching perspective, what are the biggest differences between the NCAA divisions?
A (LJ): It is tough to say. There are so many things that are similar when it comes down to it. We are all higher-education institutions that have the amazing privilege and opportunity to take our sport to the next level and influence young people in a positive way. However, there are also many things that are just slightly different — the expectations we have of our student-athletes can increase as you go up in the divisions: what their day looks like with fitness, meetings, practices, and competition. The level of competitiveness is the same at any division, but the level of competition is higher, and the speed of the game is faster as you move through divisions. And the reality of funding. There is disparity and huge gaps with what programs have to work with, even within the same division as well.
Q (NFHCA): What advice would you give other coaches looking to make a coaching change?
A (LJ): I think we don’t need to look at the divisions as dividers, just different opportunities. And when considering different opportunities, look at what’s important to you, what are your priorities. My advice: don’t ever limit yourself or hold yourself to a label because it’s what you think you should do. Coaching is coaching —we are influencing young women to be the best version of themselves and how they can support and work together with the other twenty-some people on your team to reach a successful result. So, if you want something — go for it! Do your research, network, ask questions, be prepared and be authentic!
Q (NFHCA): What did you consider when you were looking for a new position?
A (LJ): The biggest thing I really tried to evaluate and get a sense of was the support from the president of the college, the athletic director and other administrators. For a program to be successful, you need support in every way. You don’t want to be banging your head against the wall because you keep getting “no’s” or backlash to do the job you love you so much. I have been very fortunate to be at great institutions that value athletics and have a desire to be successful, and it shows in the support we get.
Q (NFHCA): Anything else you’d like to share?
A (LJ): Life is journey, and coaching is a huge part of mine. Being able to have a positive influence on those around me is what I am passionate about and I feel like is my purpose in life. There are so many avenues to pursue coaching, for me being at the collegiate level is such an amazing opportunity and I love it!
Thank you for sharing your coaching journey Lindsay!
If you enjoyed this interview, check back next month when we sit down with former Queens University of Charlotte head field hockey coach, Brandi Kist!