Whitman brought on board Kirkland Lewis in the summer of 2017 to lead the Blues' women's lacrosse program.
Prior to her hiring Lewis served as the assistant women's lacrosse coach at University of District of Columbia (UDC) where she was also the defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator.
Lewis replaces two-time Northwest Conference coach of the year Kate Robinson, who led the Whitman program through its initial three seasons of varsity competition.
Though Lewis specialized in the defensive third at UDC, she also assisted with whole-field game strategies.
Away from the field at UDC she helped set up team travel, assisted with the administrative aspects of recruiting to the NCAA Division II program, monitored academic progress of the UDC players, and oversaw all community service projects of the program.
With Lewis on staff the Firebirds -- who completed their fourth year of varsity competition in 2017 -- earned the program's first win in year three.
Lewis first entered the coaching ranks in September 2013 when she joined the staff of Randolph-Macon (Va.) College as the program's assistant, defensive coordinator and goalkeeper coach.
Her duties with the Yellow Jackets included the recruitment of student-athletes from specific states as assigned by the head coach, assisting with daily practice plans, film breakdown of RMC and its opponents, along with spearheading community service projects, serving as the program's social media liaison, and assisting in the creation of an off-season fitness and agility program.
Lewis has also coached in the club lacrosse arena, beginning in 2009, including Elevation Lacrosse (Va.), STORM Lacrosse Club (Va.) and Ultimate Lacrosse Club (Pa.) within her body of coaching experiences.
Of Lewis' collegiate coaching background and her fit with Whitman, Director of Athletics Dean Snider noted that "Kirkland's focus on student learning is a great match for Whitman and Division III. And her experience as the recruiting coordinator at Randolph-Macon and at District of Columbia will help her hit the ground running as she works to build on our already-strong roster."
In 2012 Lewis earned a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from Old Dominion (Va.) University where she played for the Monarchs under previous United States National Team head coach Sue Stahl.
"Coach Sue taught me not just about lacrosse" Lewis explained about her playing days under Stahl -- the coach named on the All-Century Lacrosse Team and an inductee of the U.S., Virginia, and Pennsylvania Halls of Fame. "She really taught you to be an independent person, to grow up, and go after things you want.
"You are coached to become a better player, sure, but it is the off the field things I learned from her that I'll never forget and that I take with me in my coaching; things that she taught me about being a good person."
Upon graduation Lewis moved on to Delaware State University where she enrolled in a Masters of sports administration program. She played on the Hornets' inaugural varsity lacrosse team in 2013 and served as a team captain.
Away from coaching in the D.C. metropolitan area Lewis was involved with the D.C. Food Kitchen, Girls on the Run, Boo at the Zoo, UDC Farms and Taste of D.C.
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