Kate Backman Named University of Bridgeport Head Women's Lacrosse Coach

Bridgeport, Conn.- University of Bridgeport Director of Athletics Jay Moran announced today that Kate Backman has joined the Department of Athletics staff as the head coach of the Purple Knights' women's lacrosse program which will begin its first season as a varsity program in the spring of 2011.  Backman comes to the University of Bridgeport from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut where she has served as assistant women's lacrosse coach since August of 2008. In 2009, the QU women's lacrosse team won the Northeast Conference regular season title and had the most successful season in school history with an .812 winning percentage.

Said Moran, "We are happy to have Kate join the University of Bridgeport and our athletic department. While she is a young coach, she has gained a great deal of knowledge during her time at Quinnipiac, and that coupled with her enthusiasm for the sport of lacrosse, makes her a perfect fit to guide and grow our program as we begin play at the varsity level in the spring." 

A native of West Haven, Connecticut and a graduate of West Haven High School where she was a four-member of the WHHS soccer and lacrosse teams plus a team captain, Kate earned her Bachelor's Degree in History from Central Connecticut State University in 2006.  During her time in CCSU, she was a four-year standout for the Blue Devils' lacrosse team and also served as a team captain.  In 2008, coach Backman received her Masters of Education from the University of New Haven.

Along with her coaching experience at Quinnipiac, Kate has served as an assistant coach at Central Connecticut State, the University of New Haven and West Haven High School.  She is also the Founder and Co-President of the West Haven Youth Lacrosse Association; a position she has held since December of 2008.