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Russel Allen

Russell Allen

Russell Allen was named head coach of the Women's Lacrosse program in the summer of 2018.

In his first season at the helm, Allen made monumental strides with the team as the Cougars went 9-6 during the 2019 campaign. With their record, the 2019 squad became the winningest team in program history along with scoring the most goals and holding the lowest goals against average in the program's four years. With a stellar senior class to lean on, Allen coached veteran trio Anna Kellar, Margaret Doane and Sydney Fuller into All-MWLC postseason honors, as well as leading all three to shattering program records and each achieving career-best seasons. 

"I am excited for this opportunity at Concordia-Chicago," Allen said of his hiring. "I know that lacrosse has really grown in the Midwest, and that the sport and in particular this program at CUC have tremendous potential for further growth. I am thankful to (CUC director of athletics) Pete Gnan and the administration for the opportunity,"
           
A native of Orange, CT, Allen comes to River Forest after four years as the women's lacrosse coach at Medaille College in Buffalo, NY. He led the Mavericks to regular-season titles in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference in both 2017 and 2018, with the team setting program records for wins each time (12-4 in 2017, 14-5 in 2018). Allen was also named the 2018 Coach of the Year in both the AMCC and the North Eastern Athletic Conference, the latter of which Medaille has a dual affiliation in lacrosse. His four-year record as a head coach at Medaille was 44-22, and his winning percentage of .667 was the highest of any coach in the program's history.
           
Allen has demonstrated an impressive recruiting eye in his time at Medaille. The 2018 Mavericks fielded eight all-conference players including the Defensive Player of the Year in Thelma Outlaw and the Newcomer of the Year in Claire Purdy. In addition, Allen earned the highest student-athlete retention rate out of any of Medaille's programs in the past four years. "I consider recruiting as one of my strengths, and I'm looking forward to recruiting student-athletes for Concordia-Chicago," said Allen. "From my perspective, there are similarities between the two schools – Division III, private institution, size, to name a few. I am excited for the chance to recruit in the Chicago area, and I believe that many would find CUC has a welcoming feel to it, making it a great place to earn a degree and play lacrosse for an up-and-coming program."
           
Allen's penchant for coaching comes naturally. He grew up playing both lacrosse and soccer in high school and then continuing on in both sports while a student at Medaille. In soccer, he played in 57 games and contributed to a pair of conference championships, including the 2006 team that set the program's single-season record with a 20-1-1 record. In lacrosse, Allen played midfield and defender, ranking nationally in NCAA Division III in ground balls during the 2007 season. He is eighth on Medaille's career list with 148 ground balls and tenth with 4.48 ground balls per game.
           
A knee injury interrupted Allen's collegiate lacrosse career, but the injury proved a blessing in disguise when, during Allen's rehabilitation, he became involved with the Lady Mavericks' program as a volunteer assistant coach.  His first head coaching job came in September 2009 at the Buffalo Seminary School, and he led that team to the playoffs during all four seasons he was there. Allen has also coached with the Empress Lacrosse Club, one of the top club programs in the Western New York region. At Empress, Allen has coached players from ages 8-17.
           
Allen earned his BS in liberal studies from Medaille College in 2008.
Year Record Conference Finish
Total 14-6 8-5
2020 5-0 0-0 MWLC *Season Shortened due to COVID-19
2019 9-6 8-5 MWLC 6th Place