When I returned to campus nearly twenty years after graduating, one of the first faces I saw was one that made the time away feel like just days rather than decades. Eyes still shining with joy and energy radiating from a mile away, Stuey had not changed. Susan “Stuey” Stuart, Head Coach of the CC Women’s Lacrosse team, was a mainstay during my time as a student-athlete at CC. Her impact on her own players as well as all the non-lacrosse athletes like me, who she has trained and guided over the years, is immense.
This year marks Stuart’s 30th year as Head Coach. Hers is a career marked by record-breaking seasons, numerous awards, and great service not only to her lacrosse teams, but many others within CC Athletics. Few people can match the impact that she has made on Tiger Athletics and the sport of women’s lacrosse. Now, as she enters her final season at CC and announces her retirement from coaching, I sat down with Stuey to reminisce and reflect on her time as a Tiger.
Stuart recalls her early days, coaching at CC while also taking on three other part time jobs, one of which was working as a trainer at the Olympic Training Center (OTC). Three years in, she was offered a full-time position both at CC and the OTC while also playing for Team Canada. It was a difficult decision, but all these years later, Stuart is certain she made the right one. “Getting to train lots of athletes at CC and coach full time, it was the best of both worlds,” she says.
And Stuart is not the only one who is glad she chose CC. Her colleagues are effusive in their praise of her coaching, leadership, and influence on Tiger Athletics.
“Stuey and I have an awesome, overly collaborative, stress-free work relationship,” says Women’s Lacrosse Assistant Coach Ashley Johnson. “We laugh a lot, share ideas, stories, and plans constantly. I’m always in her office. We work very well together, and I truly appreciate the amount of trust and space she gives me to be the coach I want to be, the space I want to fill, the ideas I want to present. I couldn’t ask for a better boss. She truly is an amazing friend and support.”
“It has been a joy to work with Stuey,” says VP and Director of Athletics Lesley Irvine. “When I joined CC six years ago, Stuey was one of the coaches I was very familiar with as she’s such an icon in the industry. I was excited to be able to work with her closely. Stuey is a ferocious competitor and a lifelong advocate for women’s lacrosse. The lacrosse community will miss her, and her legacy and impact is cemented here at CC forever. We’re looking forward to celebrating Stuey this Spring!”
“She brought people to campus who loved their experience because they got to play lacrosse for a team that was, for nearly twenty years, the only institution west of the Mississippi that was reputably known to be a Top 20 team, getting into the NCAAs as an independent program. That is unreal!” adds Johnson. “Her players loved their unique experience. They loved playing for her and her fun, quirky style of coaching. She is lighthearted, wholesome, and comes to work every day filled with joy. She loves her job and loves the players she surrounds herself with. Her legacy is joy for the game, those who played for her, and how she shows up in everyday moments.”
Stuart has seen a lot of change in her time at CC. But overall, she says campus still has the same vibe as when she first arrived. “It’s very independent thinking. The students and other people here seek adventure. They’re always looking at the possibilities. What’s my next thing? I love that. It’s endless possibilities. The energy on campus is amazing.”
When I ask her what’s been the biggest challenge during her time as coach, the answer is obvious for someone who gives so much of herself to everything she does: finding balance.
“Early on, I was doing so much. And I loved it. So, I put in way more hours early on than I would say I would be capable of now,” says Stuart. “Outside of that, there are always going to be things like fundraising and scheduling as an independent. It can be rough, and it was really rough from the beginning before you kind of establish yourself and get a decent name for your program. I had to find a way to balance it all.”
When I ask about her favorite memories, she lights up (even more than usual), and the stories are off to the races.
“The 1999 team when we went to the tournament for the first time. And we had a pretty inexperienced team. We had kids on the roster that had never played lacrosse, who ended up being All-Americans. Really athletic. Just the excitement around that.” She beams. “And then there was going on the Final Four. Amazing and hysterical because, not that we were the ragtag team, but we did things in our own way. We may have looked a little rough around the edges.”
The more she talks about her teams, the more excited she gets, as if she’s cheering on each of these past athletes again in real time. “And even last season, beating University of Chicago at University of Chicago in the tournament, because I know they didn’t think we deserved to win when we played them here. And they’re very good. They are a very good program. Such a great game.”
Stuart’s enthusiasm for her teams and the sport is not a one-way street. Her players, both past and present, return the sentiments with equal vigor.
“I played soccer for twenty-five plus years and lacrosse for about eight,” says Mary Conarroe ’99. “I played all levels, high school, college D1 and D3, semi pro, club. Stuey was by far the best coach I had in any sport at any level. She understood how to coach the game, but also each player in a way that brought out their best.”
“Stuey is a huge part of why I chose CC,” says Cassie Abel ’05. “She understood that we’re students first but also expected excellence on the field and commitment to the team. She knew that if we were having fun we played better, so she went above and beyond to make even the hardest things fun. Playing for Stu made for four of the most fun years of my life and I’m forever grateful to her.”
“Playing for Stuey has been an amazing experience,” says Healy Bledsoe ’25. “She has not only been an amazing coach on the field but also allows the space and time for us to have new and exciting experiences, have time to enjoy our hobbies, and focus on school. She is really a legend, and I am so grateful that I got the opportunity to play for her.”
“Playing under Stuey has been an amazing experience. She keeps it exciting, lots of laughter but also business,” says Tobin Lonergan ’25. “She values each of us as our whole self, allowing us to always pursue other things we love whether that’s for the future or our hobbies. I think a lot of coaches can limit that, but Stuey lets us have a balance of being a whole person.”
One of the things that all of Stuart’s players point out is that it is her bright personality and drive to be completely, authentically herself that inspired them in all areas of life.
“Stuey has always let her personality shine through. Some of my favorite moments are from our Halloween practices, when she dresses up either as a band conductor or member of a band. She embraces the full character. She never fails to put a smile on your face,” says Lonergan.
“One of my favorite things about Stuey is the fact that she has a collection of hacky sacks in her backpack at all times. During a lightning delay in Wisconsin, we played hacky sack for twenty minutes during the break and Stuey has moves!” says Evelyn Bahet-Murphy ’25 “I appreciate that she encourages us to have interests outside of lacrosse. I always know I can count on Stuey for mountain biking trail recommendations and for support when leading Outdoor Ed trips that interfere with weekend practices. I also love that Stuey will always make time for an ice cream stop on a travel trip. I am grateful to have gotten to play under a coach who brings both intensity to the game while constantly reminding us to keep it fun.”
“Stuey was always just unapologetically Stuey and encouraged each of us to be exactly who we are too!” says Abel. “She brought out the best in each and every one of us.”
Over her thirty years at the helm, Stuart has certainly left a lasting impact on all her players.
“Stuey has influenced me to remain tapped into my adventurous side, to work hard and play hard, and to always find times to laugh and enjoy where you are!” says Bledsoe.
“She taught us how to have fun, compassion, and tenacity all at the same time. Something that I’ve taken with me into my own leadership style in my professional life,” says Abel. “She recognized how important it was to have heart and encouraged me to lead with it, which is something I’ve brought to my company.”
“Stuey has given me a space to become a confident leader. She supports me and pushes me to be better, but also encourages me to do that for others,” says Lonergan. “I wouldn’t be at CC without Stuey. She gave me the opportunity to receive a great education but also find a deeper love for lacrosse. I owe a huge thank you to Stuey for her belief in me as a player and person.”
“Stuey was younger then, only about nine or ten years older than me as a student,” says Conarroe. “She was a coach and a mentor, but also a friend. And still all of those things for me today.”
As a final question, I ask Stuart what she would like her legacy to be as she walks off Washburn Field for the last time.
“That’s a tough one,” she says. “All of the teams over all of the years have been incredibly hard working and we’ve had a lot of joy on the field. We always have fun. I love playing. I love coaching. I just always think, it’s two hours out of each day. It should be the best two hours out of that day. You’re with your friends, you’re doing what you love, you’re outside getting fresh air and exercise. Those things inspire me. So, yeah. It’s the joy. The joy of the sport and the relationships that come with sport.”
As for retirement, not surprisingly, it seems Stuart will somehow be even busier than during her days as a coach. She’s already planning days of mountain biking, rounds of golf, hikes with her dog, time with friends, family, and good food, and of course, lots of joy.