The Herd at USF

  • Mindy McCord, coach of USF women's lacrosse - smiling with dark brown hair, wearing a black jacket and a white top, standing against a gradient purple background.

    Coach Mindy McCord / Head Coach

    There aren’t enough words to describe what Coach McCord means to me. From day one, she cared more about me as a person than a player. She’s empowered me, believed in me, created opportunities beyond lacrosse, and even called other coaches on my behalf when she coached at JU. She’s been a mentor, a role model, and like a second mom—always pushing me to grow. No coach gives more. I’m forever grateful.

    Link to Coach McCord’s Bio

  • Britt Orashen, Assistant Head Coach for USF Women's Lacrosse with excited expression, wearing a strapless white dress during her wedding.

    Brittney Orashen / Associate Head Coach

    One of my favorite recruiting stories is when Coach Britt (then at JU) called to offer me and mentioned how excited she was about me being a strong lefty attacker… I’m actually a righty, so that made my day. Her passion and energy are contagious, and while she’s a mentor, role model, and now fierce pickleball rival, I couldn’t imagine practices—or my game days—without her hype, support, and presence. She's truly one of a kind.

    Link to Coach Britt’s Bio

  • CP McCord, Assistant Coach for the USF Womens Lacrosse team - smiling outdoors wearing a white T-shirt with colorful text and logos, and a white cap with a green logo on it.

    Coach Paul McCord / Assistant Coach

    Words can’t fully describe the unique bond I have with CP. I know I annoy him sometimes, but I’ve never once questioned his intent—he’s always wanted me to be the best version of myself. Since early high school, he’s been one of my biggest advocates on and off the field, pushing me, believing in me, and showing up in every way. He’s always cared more about me as a person than a player, and continues to help however he can.

    Link to Coach CP’s Bio

  • Vince Lodato, Assistant Coach for USF Women's Lacrosse Team with beard wearing sunglasses, a cap, and a blue camouflage jacket holding a large fish outdoors near water.

    Vince Lodato / Assistant Coach

    Early and often, I started calling him “Vincenzo”—and in 20 years, when my baby is crying and my dog is barking, I know I’ll miss his pregame speeches and hype. No matter what I need, he’s always there. When I hit a slump this past season, he never stopped believing in me and helped me work through it. I’m so excited for what’s ahead for him in coaching. He’s the kind of person and coach everyone wants in their corner.

    Link to Coach Vince’s Bio

  • Jon McNemar, Strength Coach for USF Women's Lacrosse Team, lifting 140 pound dumbbells while lying on a workout bench in a gym doing one less rep than Brett Chepenik.

    Jon McNemar / Asst S&C Coach

    Big Jon is the best strength coach in women’s college lacrosse—and one of the few people my dad fully trusts to train me. His calm voice and quiet strength make me feel like I can take on any challenge he throws our way. He genuinely cares about our well-being, both physically and mentally, and creates a space where we feel strong, supported, and seen. His commitment to our team means more than he probably knows, and we’re so lucky to have him in our corner.

    Link to Coach Big Jon’s Bio

  • LJ McCord, the USF Women's Lacrosse Team little brother standing in front of a mural with a coat of arms featuring a lion and eagle, painted in grayscale.

    LJ McCord / Team Little Brother

    I’m the youngest of four and have one older brother—but it wasn’t until I got to USF that I truly knew what it felt like to have a younger one. LJ has become that for me, and honestly, for so many of us on the team. His energy is endless, and the way he sees the world with innocence and joy is something we all need more of. No matter how exhausted I am after practice or a game, LJ’s presence never fails to bring a smile to my face.

    Link to LJ’s favorite soccer team

  • Abby McCloskey, Assistant Athletic Director / Development wearing sunglasses, a helmet, and riding a motorcycle, with a motorcycle helmet visible in the background on a sunny day.

    Abby McCloskey / Assistant Athletic Director / Development

    Abby Ritter’s smile is contagious and her heart is even bigger. She’s been a driving force behind opportunities that elevate women in sports—like organizing Stampede for Women, which celebrates National Girls and Women in Sports Day and supports equal resources for female athletes. Abby is a fierce advocate for women in athletics and her presence at USF is making a lasting impact for current and future generations.

    Link to Abby’s USF Profile

  • Daris Wienk, Assistant Athletic Trainer for USF's Women's Lacrosse Team wearing yellow uniform with number 00 during her playing days as a collegiate Lacrosse player.

    Daris Wienk / Assistant Athletic Trainer / Women's Lacrosse

    Daris isn’t just our athletic trainer—she’s part of my support system. She gives everything she has to make sure we feel our best, both physically and mentally. She’s always patient (even when I’m late to early rehab), always listening, and always there. Whether I’m dealing with an injury or just having a rough day, she shows up and helps me get better. Her care and commitment are a huge part of our team’s success.

    Link to Daris’ USF Profile

  • Mercedes Sapp, Director of NIL Engagement for USF wearing a green Adidas polo shirt at the Boost Symposium in front of a sign and conference room

    Mercedes Sapp / Director of NIL Engagement

    Mercedes was one of the first people to make me feel welcome at USF and has been a huge part of the student-athlete experience. She’s helped expand NIL opportunities and continues to open doors for all of us to grow beyond our sport. Her support, guidance, and dedication make a real difference, and she treats every athlete like family. She’s a leader, a connector, and truly the ultimate Chaos Coordinator—always showing up and making things happen.

    Link to Mercedes’ USF Profile

  • Kris Pierce, Deputy Athletic Director, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Woman Administrator for the University of South Florida with blonde hair smiling and making a Bulls gesture with her hand at a formal event.

    Kris Pierce / Deputy AD/COO, Senior Woman Administrator

    Kris Pierce is a woman of action and impact. Her belief in the power of women in sports shows up in everything she does. She’s a champion for female athletes, a problem-solver who gets things done, and someone whose presence brings both strength and kindness. Her accent might be the first thing you notice, but it’s her heart, leadership, and unwavering support that leave a lasting impression on everyone she meets.

    Link to Kris Pierce USF Profile

  • Shalyce Caban, Assistant Director of Marketing for the University of South Florida with curly hair smiling at a celebration event inside a stadium, surrounded by confetti, wearing a white long-sleeve shirt and black pants.

    Shalyce Caban / Assistant Director of Marketing

    Shalyce Caban is one of the kindest, most patient people I’ve met at USF. She’s the reason I’ve had the chance to sing the national anthem at some incredible events—something I’ll never forget. Whether she’s helping with logistics or just saying hi in passing, seeing her around campus always puts a smile on my face. She’s someone I truly enjoy catching up with, and I’m so grateful for the joy and support she brings to my USF experience.

    Link to Shalyce’s USF Profile

  • Micah Banks the Assistant Director of Communications for University of South Florida in a dark suit and white shirt smiling at an outdoor event with a crowd in the background.

    Micah Banks / Assistant Director of Communications

    Micah Banks is truly one of my favorite people at USF. He’s not only amazing at his job, but his kindness, humor, and energy make everyone around him better. He’s an icon, honestly. His commitment to putting our program in the best light is inspiring, and he constantly creates incredible opportunities for us to shine. His work reflects how much he cares about USF and the student-athletes who represent it.

    Link to Micah’s USF Profile

  • Dustin Watts, Academic Coordinator for the University of South Florida wearing a dark suit, blue shirt, and a colorful patterned tie, smiling against a gray background.

    Dustin Watts / Academic Coordinator

    Dustin Watts, my academic advisor, always starts every meeting by asking how I’m doing—and he genuinely means it. His patience and kindness never go unnoticed, especially when navigating the complexities that can come with transferring. He’s worked closely with me to make sure I stay on track, no matter the challenge. I always leave our conversations feeling supported, seen, and one step closer to where I want to be.

    Link to Dustin’s USF Profile

  • Joslin Hanbury, Director of Operations Women's Lacrosse for the University of South Florida in a white dress at graduation holding a diploma, standing in front of a brick building.

    Joslin Hanbury / Director of Operations WLax

    It’s a full-circle moment getting to work with Joslin at USF—years ago we played club lacrosse together. Now she’s our new director of ops, already making an impact. It’s a small world, and I’m so excited she’s part of our program. Seeing someone I grew up with step into a role that helps shape the next generation is powerful and inspiring. I know Joslin will do amazing things for our team and can’t wait to watch her continue to lead.

    Joslin’s LinkedIn

  • University of South Florida women's lacrosse celebrating their first win by pouring Gatorade on Coach McCord.

    USF Team Managers

    Our team managers—Kristian, Kevin, Tyson, Josh, Valerie, and all those to come—do so much for our program. From practices to gamedays, travel, and team bonding, they keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes. Their hard work never goes unnoticed, and they’re truly awesome people. We’ve shared so many laughs, and I’m beyond thankful for their constant support, good energy, and all the ways they make this experience better for everyone.

    Link to USF’s Women’s Lacrosse Team

  • University of South Florida Bulls athletics logo featuring a stylized green bull's horn with the word "ATHLETICS" below in green capital letters.

    USF Athletic Department

    USF Athletics is built on relationships, growth, and a relentless drive to elevate every program. From campus events to community engagement, they create meaningful experiences year-round. The department is deeply committed to its female athletes, providing support and opportunities to thrive. With a clear vision to become a national power in every sport, USF continues to invest, grow, and push forward—making it an exciting time to be part of this rising program.

    Link to USF’s Athletic Page

  • University of South Florida Women's Lacrosse Team celebrating milestones highlighting a record attendance of 2,386 for the regular season, with text and team logos.

    USF Fans

    USF fans are truly one of a kind. From setting attendance records to always staying after games, they’ve made Corbett Stadium feel like home. Their energy, signs, and love mean the world. Even online, we have one of the strongest and fastest-growing fan bases out there. The support just keeps growing. We’re so lucky to have such an incredible community behind us—our fans make USF Women’s Lacrosse something special in every way.

    USF Women’s Lacrosse Instagram

  • A USF Women's Lacrosse Parent tailgate featuring a man playing guitar and singing outdoors under a tent with a bright yellow logo, surrounded by a few people, in a parking lot or driveway area with trees and vehicles in the background.

    USF Parents

    USF Lacrosse parents go above and beyond in every way. From unmatched tailgates to constant love and support, they make our team feel like one big family. Whether they’re cheering us on, planning events, or making sure we’re fed and cared for, their dedication never goes unnoticed. They bring so much joy and strength to our program, and we’re incredibly lucky to have them by our side every step of the way.

    USF Women’s Lacrosse Parents Instagram