NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. – Former Penn State women’s lacrosse coach and PSU administrator Sue Delaney-Scheetz has been selected as this year’s Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) 2024 Diane Geppi-Aikens Memorial Award, the organization announced Friday. She will be honored during the 2024 IWLCA Honors Dinner and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on the evening of November 21 at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront.
The Diane Geppi-Aikens Memorial Award is named in honor of the legendary Loyola coach whose courageous battle with cancer inspired the nation and recognizes lifetime achievements to the women’s college game.
"I feel deeply honored to receive the Diane Geppi-Aikens Memorial Award from the IWLCA,” Delaney-Scheetz told the IWLCA. “Diane was a respected player and coach whose passion for the sport of lacrosse was unmatched. Her love for life and her family continues to inspire all who knew her. I have had the privilege of knowing many of the previous recipients of this award, and it is an honor to be included in such an esteemed group."
Penn State Head Coach Missy Doherty remarked in her nomination, “Sue is a trailblazer for women in sports and, more specifically, a passionate advocate for the advancement of women’s lacrosse.”
Delaney-Scheetz joined the Penn State staff in 1982 as an assistant coach for field hockey and lacrosse before taking the helm as head lacrosse coach in 1986. Over her four-year tenure, she led the team to remarkable success, clinching two national championships in 1987 and 1989, and earning accolades as National Coach of the Year on two occasions. Her impressive record of 67 wins against just nine losses solidified her legacy in the sport.
Beyond coaching, Delaney-Scheetz has made significant contributions to collegiate athletics through her administrative roles, including Assistant Athletic Director and Associate Athletic Director at Penn State. Her involvement extends to national committees, including the NCAA Championships Cabinet and the NCAA Women's Lacrosse Committee, where she served as chair.
A pioneer for women in athletics, Delaney-Scheetz has been an unwavering advocate for the growth of women's lacrosse. Her accolades include induction into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2000 and memberships in several prestigious Halls of Fame.