ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Cornell women's lacrosse team has added Sarah McGoey Burlingame '01, as its first assistant, announced Jenny Graap, the Karin Bain Kukral '82 Head Coach of Women's Lacrosse. Burlingame joins the team after spending her career in coaching and education in Florida.

Burlingame comes to East Hill following 17 years as coach, director, and owner of the Lax Maniax Lacrosse Club. Burlingame played a pivotal role in elevating the club to national prominence. Under her leadership, more than 450 athletes were successfully recruited to the NCAA ranks representing NCAA Divisions I, II, and III. Her alumni have gone on to shine on the biggest stage, competing in NCAA national titles, world cups, and moving into collegiate coaching and pro players.

Burlingame was inducted into the USA Lacrosse South Florida Hall of Fame in 2019 for her efforts as head coach at Jupiter HS and the Benjamin School. As a high school coach, her teams won nine district championships and five regional titles combined at Jupiter HS (2002-11) and The Benjamin School (2013-19). Burlingame led the Buccaneers to a 16-5 record in 2019 and its first state championship game appearance in program history. She has also coached the Under Armour/New Balance team five times and has been actively involved in developing youth programs.

"We are thrilled to welcome Sarah back to Cornell," Graap said. "She is a passionate alumna who has been engaged with our Big Red program since she graduated. Her experience as a teacher, coach, and mentor will be incredibly valuable to our team, and I look forward to Sarah joining me on the sideline to help us lead the next generation of women's lacrosse players at our alma mater." 

Burlingame is no stranger to Cornell athletics. The defender appeared in 51 games for the Big Red from 1998-2001 and was a two-time captain and four-year letter winner at Cornell, helping them to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2001. She also is a proud alum of the Canadian National team having played in the U19 World Cup for Team Canada.



"Coaching for the Big Red fulfills a lifelong dream. I am ecstatic to step back onto Schoellkopf Field as a proud Cornellian," Burlingame said. "Having had the privilege of playing for the Big Red and Coach Graap, it remains one of my most cherished life experiences. Coaching at Cornell means I will work with some of the country's best players, learn from Coach Graap — one of the game's best coaches, and be part of the incredible Cornell Athletics community."