USF women's lacrosse team set for inaugural season

Soon, two years of work and two years of waiting will be over for Mindy McCord. 

McCord speaking to players during a team practice.

McCord speaking to players during a team practice.

"The excitement is there," McCord said. "I think the hardest part will be keeping their energy numbers down so it doesn't get too high, and they get over-excited."

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Launching women’s lacrosse at USF

The backstory:

More than two years ago, McCord left Jacksonville University to start a women's lacrosse team at USF as she attempted to build a program from scratch for the second time in her career. 

"We're not new to it," McCord joked. "I think the things that we've stuck with is just how important a culture is on a team." 

McCord during a team practice.

McCord during a team practice.

With their first season set to begin in 2023, back then, McCord couldn't promise recruits any playing time or conference titles. 

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Instead, the Bulls' head coach could only sell those recruits and transfer players a vision. 

Student-athletes buying in

What they're saying:

It's a vision, however, that players like Ansley Knor, who signed with the Bulls out of high school, were buying. 

"I think it's so important that you have that base of people that want to be there," Knor said. "They want to build something that is bigger than themselves, and they want to build a legacy."

Knor speaking with FOX 13 News.

Ansley Knor speaking with FOX 13 News.

Now, after a year of practices and exhibition games, Knor and her teammates will finally get to play in their first real game when the Bulls' inaugural season kicks off on February 7. 

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"It feels like yesterday that we were just getting on campus for our exhibition year, and it's finally here," said Sofia Chepenik, a sophomore.  "Everything that we have put in for the past year and a half we can show everyone what USF lacrosse is about."

Sofia Chepenik speaking with FOX 13 News.

Sofia Chepenik speaking with FOX 13 News.

Hitting the field

What's next:

With their first gameday nearly here, the Bulls now reflect on the last two years of waiting and building. 

"It's hard," said Knor. "I'm not going to lie to you; it is difficult, but what we were told when it came to building our culture was that it was something that isn't found at other programs."

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From the start, however, that is precisely how McCord wanted to build her team as the coach who is dubbed the "Queen of Lacrosse" by her players, builds a culture-first program. 

"We had a proven process for developing people. We care about the person, not the player," McCord said. 

Now, that culture will finally be on display as the Bulls lacrosse team prepares to begin a legacy all its own. 

The Source: The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Sean Barie. 

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