Simmons College Athletic Director Ali Kantor has announced the appointment of Kate Leonard as the head field hockey/lacrosse coach at Simmons College. She becomes the first lacrosse coach in Sharks history as Simmons will begin its inaugural season in the Spring of 2009.

"We are very excited to have Kate join our staff," said Kantor. "She brings to us the knowledge base of coaching from not only her experience as a head coach, but also from her high achievements as a scholar athlete while attending Williams College. I know she will lead and develop Simmons student athletes in both field hockey and lacrosse to great success on and off the field."

Leonard comes to Simmons College after serving as the head field hockey/lacrosse coach at Concord Academy, located in Concord, Mass. for two seasons.  During her tenure she was selected as the New England Prep School Women's Lacrosse Association (NEPSWLA) All-Star Team Coach.  Her athletes have gone on to play for Bates, Harvard and Skidmore.  Leonard has also served as a Nike Sports Camps coach for both field hockey and lacrosse for the past 11 years.  She has also provided assistance to the MetroLacrosse program. 

"I am delighted to bring my own experiences with field hockey and lacrosse to Simmons. Athletics have always been a huge part of my life, and I am beyond excited to work with Simmons' determined and intelligent student-athletes to learn and achieve great things," said Leonard. 

A 2003 graduate of Williams College, Leonard had an exceptional career as a three-sport athlete for the Ephs.  She was the recipient of the Chris Larson Mason Award, presented to a Williams field hockey player who best exemplifies teamwork, dedication, hard work, sportsmanship and skill.  Leonard was a member of the 2001 and 2002 field hockey teams that won New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) titles and reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Tournament in 2000 and 2001, respectively. 

In 2002, Leonard was an All-NESCAC Team selection in lacrosse and received Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) All-Region honors.  She was a member of the of the Williams lacrosse team that reached the finals of the Division III NCAA Lacrosse Tournament in 2000, the Elite Eight in 2003 and won the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England Lacrosse Championship in 2001.  

"I think lacrosse is the next natural step for athletics at Simmons because the game will be a perfect fit for the kind of student-athletes Simmons attracts," said Leonard.  "I am honored to be the inaugural coach and look forward to developing a strong tradition of teamwork and success." 

In addition to field hockey and lacrosse, Leonard was also a four-year letterwinner and two-time captain for the Williams Division I Alpine Ski team.  She was named to the NCAA Division I Skiing Academic All-American Team in 2003.  Leonard competed in the 2001 NCAA Division I Alpine Skiing Championships. 

A native of Yarmouth, Maine, Leonard received her bachelor's degree in psychology from Williams College in 2003.  She earned her master's degree in educational studies from Tufts University in 2008.