WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — University of Hartford Acting Vice President of Athletics & Recreation
Dr. Sharon Beverly has announced the hiring of
Jen Nardi as head coach of the Hawks' women's lacrosse team. Nardi comes to Hartford by way of Manhattanville College, where she served as head coach of the Valiants for four seasons from 2018-21.
"Coach Nardi brings with her hands-on experience building a successful program," said Dr. Beverly. "She also brings strong support for the quality of the student-athlete experience."
Becoming the second coach in the young four-year history of the Hartford women's lacrosse program, Nardi compiled 21 wins during her time at Manhattanvile. Her career was highlighted by a 2018 campaign that saw the Valiants score a school-record 258 goals and finish in a three-way tie for first place in the competitive MAC Freedom.
"I am extremely grateful to Dr. Beverly for this opportunity," said Nardi. "It is an honor to be named the head women's lacrosse coach at University of Hartford. I look forward to helping guide the program through this transition and to continue developing our women both on and off the field."
The Hawks enjoyed their inaugural season in 2018, defeating Delaware State by a 20-4 final in the program's first-ever game on Feb. 24. Hartford went on to post its first road win the following season after beating the Hornets, 20-2, on March 18, 2019.
Each of Nardi's final two seasons at Manhattanville in 2020 and 2021 were shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Valiants were off to a great start in 2020 prior to the shutdown, though, as they started off the campaign with a 4-1 record after averaging 17.2 goals per game and holding opponents to just 8.6 scores per contest.
Prior to landing at Manhattanville, Nardi was the head coach at Smith College from 2012-14. In her first season in 2012, she led the Pioneers to the finals of the ECAC New England Region Championship for the first time in program history. In addition, she was named Smith's Coach of the Year after finishing that season with a 10-9 record, the most wins in a single season in program history.
Nardi coached at the club level before taking over as Executive Director of Brooklyn Crescents Lacrosse in January of 2016. She spent two years managing all logistics of the program, which features more than 600 youth athletes of all ages.
Nardi brings a wealth of experience at the Division I level to Hartford, previously spending time as an assistant coach at the University of Vermont, the University of Massachusetts, Long Island University and the University of California. She also served as the interim head coach at Colby College in 2007, where she helped lead the team to an 8-7 record and a Commonwealth Coast Conference Tournament berth.
Nardi enjoyed an illustrious collegiate career at UMass. A goalie from 1998-01, she graduated as the program's all-time leader in saves and finished with a stellar 7.91 goals-against average and .624 save percentage over 55 career games.
An Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) All-Northeast Region First Team selection as a junior in 2000, Nardi helped pilot the Minutewomen to an Atlantic 10 Championship after she led all NCAA Division I goalies in both goals-against average (6.75) and save percentage (.644). The year before, she shattered the school record after posting a .700 save percentage.
Graduating from UMass in 2001 with a degree in hospitality and tourism management, Nardi went on to earn her master's degree in sport management from Southern New Hampshire University in 2013.
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