Shelley Klaes Earns Contract Extension Through 2026

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne announced that Shelley Klaes, head coach of the women's lacrosse program, has received an extension to keep her under contract through the 2026 season.

In her 15 seasons at the helm, Klaes has guided JMU to a 184-85 (.684) overall record, seven conference championships, eight NCAA tournament berths and a national championship.

"Under Shelley's leadership JMU lacrosse has been a model of consistency and achievement," Bourne said. "The 2021 season had its rollercoaster moments, but the team rallied and got hot at the right time. By the end of the season, the Dukes were competing like a top program nationally. It is the mark of a good coach to have a team prepared at the right time, and Shelley has done that consistently in her tenure at JMU. We're glad to extend her tenure to lead our program."

"I love leading the JMU lacrosse program," Klaes said. "We have created such a great, competitive culture within this team; I love what I do. I know we are making our alumnae, our families and James Madison University proud.

This past season, Klaes and the Dukes became the first team in Colonial Athletic Association history to capture four consecutive tournament championships. JMU finished the 2021 with a 12-5 overall record and advanced the NCAA round of 16 following a first-round victory versus Johns Hopkins.

Two players were named All-Americans in Molly Dougherty and Emma Johnson and eight were honored on the all-conference team. JMU finished the year ranking top 20 nationally in four categories, including fifth in scoring defense (8.53), seventh in save percentage (.500), 17th in assists (7.06) and 20th in turnovers (13.53).

In her career, she's won a conference-record six CAA Coach of the Year awards and has twice earned National Coach of the Year accolades in 2010 and 2018. In her 20 total years as a head coach between JMU and Hofstra, she's produced 19 All-Americans, 29 All-Region honorees and 14 CAA major award winners.

Additionally, Kateri Linville has been promoted to associate head coach and former All-American and assistant coach Haley Warden will also return in 2021-22.

As our sport continues to grow each year, it becomes more and more important to have good help," Klaes said. "I want to thank our administrators for not only their support of me, but of my coaching staff. Our administration is aligned in backing me with the right people, right here on this amazing JMU campus. I am proud that we were able to retain coach Kateri and coach Haley for another year. They are both top coaches with incredible insight into our sport and how we mentor our student-athletes. I look forward to another great year of competition with this staff."

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Players Mentioned

Molly Dougherty

Emma Johnson

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