Jennifer Ulehla (2013) - JMU Athletics Hall of Fame - James Madison University Athletics

Jennifer Ulehla

Induction:
2013

Jennifer Ulehla was head coach of the JMU women’s lacrosse program from 1995-2002, taking over a program that had one winning season in the previous six and taking it to a 90-56 record, three Colonial Athletic Association tournament championships (1997, 1999 and 2001) and six NCAA appearances in her tenure. In her first season at helm, she led the Dukes to a 12-6 record, a tie for the Colonial Athletic Association regular season championship, a berth in the NCAA Championship for the first time in school history and a final ranking of No. 5 in the country. From there, the program continued to build to the 2000 season, where JMU posted a 13-5 record, earned the CAA regular season title, advanced farther than any JMU team had in the NCAAs in getting to the semifinal and finished ranked No. 3 in the country. In her final season, she managed to lead the Madison squad to a victory over defending NCAA champion and No. 9 Maryland, just the second time in that time that the Dukes had beaten the Terrapins. As the head coach, she led JMU to its highest ever ranking (No. 2) and highest final national rank (No. 3) in school history. Ulehla produced 13 All-Americans, including five first-team honorees, one National Midfield Player of the Year, one Honda Broderick Award nominee and one Tewaaraton Trophy Award Top 5 finalist. She was named the CAA Coach of the Year in 1995 and 2000.