The Intercollegiate Wome's Lacrosse Coaches Association is pleased to announce that Susan "Stuey" Stuart, former Head Women's Lacrosse Coach at Colorado College, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Diane Geppi-Aikens Memorial Award. Stuart will be honored during the IWLCA Honors Dinner and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on November 19, 2026, at the Tradewinds Resort in St. Petersburg, Florida.
The Diane Geppi-Aikens Memorial Award honors the legendary Loyola University coach whose courageous battle with cancer inspired the nation. Presented annually, the award recognizes lifetime achievement and outstanding contributions to the women's college game.
"As someone who was inspired by Diane's creative and energetic coaching style and her voice in our organization, I feel incredibly honored to have been awarded the Diane Geppi-Aikens Award," Stuart said. "It feels surreal to be awarded for a career that was simply a labor of love and be surrounded by a community of fellow enthusiasts for bettering our game and those we touched. I am deeply grateful and humbled.
Throughout her 30-year career, Stuart's impact extended far beyond the sidelines at Colorado College. A passionate advocate for the growth of women's lacrosse in the West, she worked to create opportunities for developing programs, often scheduling games against emerging teams to help strengthen competition and expand the sport's reach. Her efforts reflected a broader commitment to ensuring that lacrosse continued to grow and that student-athletes in developing regions had opportunities to compete and thrive.
Stuart also recognized the importance of investing in the people who lead the game forward. She consistently championed professional development for her fellow coaches, promoting the IWLCA Convention during Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) meetings and encouraging opportunities for shared learning, collaboration and growth. Her dedication to the coaching community was further demonstrated through her service on the IWLCA Board of Directors, the IWLCA All-America Committee and the NCAA West Region Committee, where she advocated for the continued advancement of the sport and opportunities for coaches and student-athletes.
"Stuey embodies the very best of what it means to be a coach, leader and ambassador for the sport of lacrosse," said Mikayla Knudson of the University of Wisconsin–Stout in her nomination of Stuart. "She built the Colorado College program from the ground up, mentored countless student-athletes and continually advocated for the growth of lacrosse in the West and the professional development of her peers. Her legacy is one of excellence, commitment and service, and her impact on the game and the IWLCA community will extend far beyond her retirement."
That commitment to building something lasting was evident in Stuart's work at Colorado College. In 1995, she became the first head coach in the program's history and spent the next three decades establishing the Tigers as a nationally respected NCAA Division III program. Her leadership helped create a foundation for generations of student-athletes while contributing to the continued visibility and competitiveness of women's lacrosse in the West.
Under Stuart's guidance, Colorado College recorded 312 victories, the 12th-most in NCAA Division III history, and made 12 NCAA Tournament appearances. The Tigers reached the national semifinals in 2005 and earned four consecutive NCAA Tournament berths from 2016 to 2019, including a program-record 18-win season in 2019. Stuart's coaching accomplishments also include seven IWLCA West Region Coach of the Year honors and recognition as a WIAC Coaching Staff of the Year recipient.
Before establishing her coaching legacy, Stuart distinguished herself as an accomplished player. She is a William Smith Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, a former goalkeeper for both Team USA and Team Canada, and a two-time World Cup participant and coach. Her experiences as both a player and coach at the international level contributed to her perspective on the game and strengthened her influence within the lacrosse community.
Stuart's legacy is defined not only by the program she built or the wins she accumulated, but by the opportunities she helped create, the colleagues she encouraged and the student-athletes she mentored. Her decades of leadership and service reflect the spirit of the Diane Geppi-Aikens Award and her enduring contributions to the growth and future of women's collegiate lacrosse.
