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Radford University

Radford University Athletics
 501 Stockton St / PO Box 6913 Radford, VA 24142
Division 1 Virginia Northeast
Public Medium National competitor
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Samantha (Hurley) Jones

Samantha Hurley was named the second head coach in the history of the Radford Women's Lacrosse program in July 2021. Taking on a big job following the shaken-up collegiate atmosphere post-COVID-19. Filling in the shoes of the program's inaugural head coach is a task Hurley is beyond willing to step up to the challenge.


"I would like to thank Director of Athletics Robert Lineburg and Associate Athletics Director Alix Guynn for having the confidence in me to lead the Radford lacrosse program," commented Hurley. "I am excited about this exceptional opportunity. The potential for this program and university is undeniable and I am eager to begin working with the student-athletes and compete for championships."


Hurley is leaving behind a strong record of success from her previous stop at Young Harris College. In her four seasons as the head coach, she guided the Mountain Lions to a 33-25 overall record and a 19-8 conference record while competing in the Gulf South Conference which is at the Division II level of the NCAA.


In her first three seasons between 2017 and 2019, she led Young Harris to two straight regular-season conference titles in addition to a conference tournament title.


In 2018 Hurley was named Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year while guiding the team to a program record eight players named to the All-Gulf South team. The program set a record in wins during the 2018 campaign as well with 14. Young Harris finished the season ranked fifth overall in the South Region NCAA Division II rankings, another program first.


Hurley would be named Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year once again in 2019 when she led the program to an 11-7 overall record while going 7-1 in conference play. Young Harris saw six players named to the All-Gulf South team including one Player of the Year.


"We are excited to welcome Samantha Hurley to the Highlander family," commented Associate Athletics Director Guynn. "Samantha is no stranger to winning, as she was a part of several nationally ranked lacrosse teams during her time as a player at Lock Haven University. She has also excelled as an assistant and as a head coach at all levels of college lacrosse. We believe Samantha will do an outstanding job leading the program and believe the team will continue competing for championships under her direction."


Before her career at Young Harris, Hurley spent four years total as an assistant coach. Her coaching career began nearby at Roanoke College where she was an assistant coach for three years. While coaching with Roanoke her duties included skill instruction, practice, game planning/implantation, film analysis, and recruiting.


Hurley would spend one season as an assistant coach with Mercer after her coaching stint at Roanoke College. While with Mercer she helped guide the Bears to a 13-6 record in 2017 as they tied for third in the Atlantic Sun Conference. The 13 wins were the program's best in the short three-year history of the program.


In her short time here at Radford, Hurley has instilled a sense of urgency and diligence within the program. Being a player-first-oriented coach is not something new for Hurley. In her time as a coach here at Radford, she has coached two all-conference second-team players Margaret Gleason and Olivia Hunter. As a former player in the NCAA, she carries first-hand experience of what it is like to maintain the balance between student and athlete. In her program, the student part doesn't fall second to the athlete part. In back-to-back seasons a member of her team has received a Big South All-Academic placement. Providing a future for players beyond lacrosse is a major part of the philosophy here at Radford University Athletics which is instilled by Coach Hurley.


In their playing days, Hurley was a four-year women's lacrosse team member at Lock Haven University. She played both midfield and attack, helping Lock Haven win two conference championships and earn three bids to the NCAA Division II Tournament. She would end her career with nine goals and three assists for 12 points. She also tallied 15 ground balls, 11 draw controls, and eight caused turnovers in 30 games played. Hurley would go on to graduate from Lock Haven in 2013 with her bachelor's degree in recreation management and a minor in psychology.

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Elizabeth Wilson

Wilson is entering her first season with the Highlanders after being named an assistant coach in July 2024.


"I'm thrilled to join the Radford Women's Lacrosse program as an assistant coach and am eager to work with our talented and dedicated athletes, helping them achieve their goals both on and off the field," commented Wilson. "I am looking forward to working with Coach Jones and contributing to the growth of this great program! "


Wilson comes from North Carolina Wesleyan where she spent the last season as the program's head coach. Prior to her time with the Battling Bishops, Wilson was an East Carolina standout for three seasons after transferring from Richmond.


At East Carolina, she was named to the AAC All-Academic Team twice and received her MBA from ECU IN 2023 while earning Outstanding Graduate Honors from East Carolina's School of Business. Wilson would also serve as the Morgan's Message Ambassador for the University during her time in Greenville.


Wilson has coached lacrosse her entire life and across the state of North Carolina with the Carolina Fever, Rival Lacrosse (Raleigh), and 252 Premier (Greenville). She also has a special connection with AFA, which she began coaching in 2019.

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