RADFORD, Va. — After getting the program started from the ground up, Radford women’s lacrosse head coach Haley Hardy has made a family-based decision to resign as head coach.

“At the conclusion of our historic 2021 season, my husband was presented with a great job opportunity, Hardy said. “After much deliberation, we decided that at this time, the best decision for our family is for me to resign from my position at Radford as we relocate for my husband’s job.”

The 2021 presented challenges early on, but the Highlanders ended the year winning six of their last nine games and were runners-up in the Big South Conference Tournament. Radford finished the regular season standings in third place – the highest of Hardy’s tenure – and went to earn the program’s first win in postseason play with a 15-14 victory over No. 2 Campbell. It was the program’s first win over Campbell.

“Haley has done a tremendous job building Radford Lacrosse from the ground up,” Director of Athletics Robert Lineburg said. “She has recruited and coached many extraordinary young women who represent Radford University in a first-class manner. In addition, she has been a wonderful presence in our department bringing great energy every day. We had an excellent conference season as we competed for the Big South Championship setting the program up for future success. We hate to see Haley depart and we wish her the very best of luck in her future endeavors.”

Since being announced as the first-ever head coach of the Radford women’s lacrosse program in October 2014, Haley Hardy has brought in incredible student-athletes that have experienced success both on and off the field.

Since she has been at the helm of this program, Hardy has coached 14 Big South All-Conference selections as well as six All-Academic honorees including the 2020 Scholar-Athlete of the Year and 2021 Freshman of the Year (the program’s first). The Highlanders have had 11 student-athletes recognized by the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association and named an IWLCA Academic Squad in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. 

“Being the first Head Coach of Radford University has been a great joy of my life and something I will always be proud of, Hardy explained. “Every woman who has worn a Highlander jersey worked tirelessly to build this program into what it is today. Additionally, the women of Radford Lacrosse have had a profound impact on my life. I want to thank Robert Lineburg for his leadership, guidance and trust over the past six years. Any success that our program had, was possible because of the dedication and support of Robert and the leadership at Radford University. I would like to thank every student-athlete, staff member and alumni for supporting and believing in me during my time at Radford, you all are what made this such a difficult decision. Though it is hard to leave, I have so much confidence that the culture that was built by our student-athletes was built to last, and that there is so much success on the horizon for this program. Go Highlanders.”

A national search for the program’s next head coach will begin immediately.