Valparaiso University Director of Athletics Mark LaBarbera has announced the hiring of Jill McCoy as the head coach of the Crusader women’s golf program.

McCoy currently serves as the director of golf instruction at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton, Indiana, where she manages, oversees and directs the golf instruction and player development program for the facility.

“Since my time as a collegiate golfer, I have always had the dream of coaching at the collegiate level,” McCoy said. “When this opportunity came up, it was a dream come true. Valpo is such a family-oriented University and everyone here is very warm and inviting.”

Before taking her current role at Sand Creek, McCoy was the head golf professional at The Brassie Golf Club in Chesterton from 2014–2018. She has served as the executive director of the Northwest Indiana Junior Golf Association since 2016. McCoy was an assistant golf professional from 1995–2014.

During her playing days, McCoy was a captain at the University of Southern Indiana from 1996–1998, then was a member of a Purdue team that won the Big Ten championship in 1999–2000. She earned a degree in organizational leadership and supervision from Purdue in 2001.

“We are extremely excited to have someone with Coach McCoy’s level of experience as both an instructor and as a student-athlete assume the leadership of our women’s golf program,” LaBarbera said. “Her extensive background in the sport of golf will serve her well in her role at Valpo. As a former collegiate golfer, Coach McCoy will be a quality role model for the student-athletes within our women’s golf program.”

McCoy inherits a program that will host Valpo’s first Missouri Valley Conference Championship in any sport this season, as the 2019 Women’s Golf Championship will be held from April 14-16 at Sand Creek.

Valpo enjoyed one of the program’s best seasons in 2017–2018, finishing with a team scoring average that ranked fourth all-time. The team finished the season strong, setting season lows three straight rounds in the MVC Championship.

“I have a good understanding of what it’s like to be a student-athlete, and I plan to use that experience in my coaching style,” McCoy said. “I’m excited to be at a point in my career where I have the opportunity to coach at this level. I’m very blessed to get to do something I’ve always dreamed of doing.”