Rock Island Today

Augustana College has found a new head coach for its women's lacrosse team, with Caroline "CJ" Durham becoming the third coach in the program's history.

Durham replaces Meredith Newman, who coached the Vikings to a sterling 37-5 record in her two seasons. Newman is leaving to take over the program at her alma mater, Sweet Briar College in Virginia.

"I am thrilled to be hired as the new lacrosse coach at Augustana, a place that breeds excellence in both the classroom and on the athletic fields," Durham told the Augustana Athletics website. "I am very grateful to be given this opportunity by Mike Zapolski, director of athletics, and the search committee, and I look forward to contributing to the culture and working with the athletes currently on the team."

Caroline "CJ" Durham | Augustana Athletics website

Durham takes over an incredibly successful program, as Augustana lacrosse has compiled a record of 88-13 in its first five years, including an undefeated 30-0 record in conference play.

Durham has a successful history with the game of lacrosse. She was a standout player at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, having been named all-conference in her senior year, 2011, and majoring in biological studies. She helped lead the school to back-to-back appearances in the American East Conference finals.

Durham then became a graduate coaching assistant at Stevenson University in Owings Mills, Maryland, in August 2011. In June o2013, she was hired by Hanover College, helping to start its program at the varsity level in 2014.

"Augustana has quickly established itself as one of the premier NCAA Division III women's lacrosse programs in the Midwest, and I am confident that Caroline can build on that positive trajectory," Zapolski said on the Augustana Athletics website. "She was a successful NCAA Division I player at Maryland-Baltimore County, and she brings that knowledge and mentality to our program while simultaneously valuing the balance and emphasis on academic and athletic success that is part of the small-college experience. She is eager to recruit the Augustana brand and build our roster size by engaging prospects both on a regional and national level."