NORTHBOROUGH - Smith College lacrosse assistant coach Ally Washburn has been named as one of 30 coaches selected for the IWLCA Aspire Assistant Coach Program, the organization announced. 

Originally launched in 2024 to align with the IWLCA's vision to offer an intensive, high-quality continuing education opportunity for current assistant coaches the inaugural Aspire class of featured 17 spots. This has been expanded to feature two cohorts of 15 coaches each for 2025-26. 

According to the organization's announcement: The IWLCA has contracted e.t.c. coaching consultants to plan and execute the program's curriculum, and Sarah McQuade and Julie Muller will again serve as the lead facilitators. The parallel cohorts will partake in virtual and in-person programming throughout the fall semester, wrapping up in January 2026 to allow the participants time to focus on their teams and put their coursework to use during their competitive season.

Washburn enters her second year as a graduate assistant coach with the Smith lacrosse team. 

The Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association is  a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization representing over 1,200 coaches and staff at NCAA Division I, Division II, Division III, and NAIA collegiate programs. The mission of the IWLCA is to lead, serve, and honor the game of women's lacrosse and those who coach it. 

About Smith Athletics: Smith College is a NCAA Division III member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference that sponsors 11 intercollegiate sports. For more information log onto GoSmithBears.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram,