NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. – Colgate Women's Lacrosse Associate Head Coach Jessica Becker has been named one of two recipients for the 2023 IWLCA Service Award, announced by the association on Thursday. 
 
Becker, along with the other recipient, Megan Smith, interim head coach at Lee University, will be recognized during the IWLCA Honors Banquet Dinner and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Nov. 16 in St. Petersburg, Fla., at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront.
 
Becker and Smith have earned the honor for their continued efforts serving the IWLCA as co-chairs of the Annual Meeting Planning Committee (AMPC). Becker and Smith are currently planning their fourth IWLCA Convention and have done excellent work on behalf of all IWLCA members.

"The time commitment and outreach efforts necessary to successfully plan and execute the large scope of our Convention is a big ask of a volunteer," said head coach Kathy Taylor, former IWLCA president. "Jess and Megan have managed the process so well and used their connections to secure great lineups of clinicians, presenters, and panelists to educate and enlighten our coaching body. At the same time, they've embraced digital event technology, streamlined the check-in process, and added more varied opportunities for our members to gather informally to strengthen and grow their own networks."
 
The IWLCA Convention is the largest gathering of collegiate women's lacrosse coaches in the nation and regularly draws upwards of 600 attendees and dozens of vendors and exhibitors. The IWLCA Convention schedule includes business meetings, Divisional Breakout sessions, professional development opportunities, coaching clinics, the Honors Banquet Dinner and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, networking and social events, and a separate professional development track for club, high school, and youth coaches.
 
"What an honor it is to be recognized by the Association for the IWLCA Service Award," Becker said in the IWLCA release. "To receive this award alongside my AMPC partner in crime, Megan Smith, makes it even more special. The importance of giving back to this coaching community has always been modeled by my mentors, so I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to serve the IW on this committee for the last four (going on five) IWLCA Conventions."