CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Queens University of Charlotte Director of Athletics Cherie Swarthout has named Kelly McQuilkin the University's fifth head women's lacrosse coach in program history. McQuilkin comes to the Royals from High Point University where she has served as associate head women's lacrosse coach for the past two seasons.
 
"Kelly is a thoughtful, well-established leader that has been a part of a winning culture throughout her career," Swarthout stated. "She is a perfect fit for Queens to lead us into the ASUN and continue the upward trajectory of our lacrosse program. She related to our athletes in her passion for wanting to keep the women's lacrosse momentum moving forward, and she understands the trajectory of who we will be facing along our Division I path and communicated a plan."
 
McQuilkin joined the Panthers as an assistant coach in 2017 before being promoted ahead of the fall of 2020. Serving as the recruiting, defensive, and goalie coordinator, she helped top 25 High Point win three straight Big South Tournament Championships and three Big South Regular-Season titles. Additionally, the Panthers have consistently placed defenders and keepers on the All-Big South Team while having players earn Big South Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2018, 2019, and 2021. In 2018, the Defensive Player of the Year was also the program's first All-American in history.
 
"I'd like to thank Cherie Swarthout and the leadership team for welcoming me into the Queens family," McQuilkin commented. "I am so excited to begin coaching this amazing group of young women as we head into Division I and the ASUN Conference. Throughout my interviews with the team, it was very clear to me this is a championship-level program and athletic department in all aspects, and I'm eager to continue building on their success."
 
In addition to serving as associate head coach of the Panthers, McQuilkin has been the defensive coordinator for the Uganda Women's National Team since last summer. She also spent time as a head coach for Fusion Lacrosse Club.
 
"Kelly was very nurturing in her methodology and she aligns with our global presence by coaching the Uganda National Team," Swarthout added. "I want our coaches to build programs that look like the world, in doing this we develop tomorrow's leaders at Queens today. Kelly's presence on the World stage provides an experience and presence that will be welcomed at Queens." 
 
As a defender for Towson University, McQuilkin served as team captain in her senior season. The three-year starter was ranked top 10 in career caused turnovers for the Tigers and helped the program's defense rank fourth in the nation for a season allowing just 6.8 goals per game. McQuilkin was also one of 100 DI lacrosse players invited to try out for the U.S. National World Cup team just ahead of her senior season. Following her collegiate career, McQuilkin played three seasons of pro-league lacrosse for the WPLL Brave where she was a key player on the defensive unit and member of the 2019 WPLL Championship Team.
 
McQuilkin graduated from Towson with a bachelor's degree in business administration and finance. She also has an MBA from the University of Baltimore.