Unprecedented Show of Support Highlights Positive Impact on Athletes Across Multiple Programs and Decades

HAMILTON, NY, February 01, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- In an extraordinary display of solidarity, nearly 50 former student-athletes and assistant coaches have come forward to publicly support Coach Kathy Taylor, offering testimonials that paint a starkly different picture from recent allegations against the veteran women's lacrosse coach.

The testimonials span Coach Taylor's 30-year coaching career across Fayetteville-Manlius High School, SUNY Cortland, Le Moyne College, and Colgate University, describing a coach who was demanding yet deeply caring, who pushed athletes to reach their full potential while maintaining genuine concern for their well-being.

A Legacy of Empowerment and Excellence

U.S. Army Major Jordan A. Miller, who now serves as Battalion Executive Officer responsible for over 500 soldiers, stated: "Having served multiple combat deployments, I can state with absolute certainty that the foundation of my leadership and resiliency was built under Coach Taylor. In the military, we distinguish between 'toxic' leadership and 'demanding' leadership. Coach Taylor represented the latter. She is what I deem the gold standard of a developmental leader."

Lindsay Abbott Byrnes, a four-time All-American now coaching high school lacrosse, wrote: "Kathy saw a version of me I hadn't yet discovered. She didn't just coach me; she redefined what I believed I was capable of achieving. I am the coach, the mother, and the person I am today because Kathy Taylor believed in me long before I believed in myself."

Katie Feeley, who played at University of Maryland and coached at Division I Towson University for nine years, said: "I have been coached by multiple Hall of Fame coaches—Cindy Timchal, Cathy Reese, Jen Adams, Amy Patton. Having Kathy Taylor as a coach has made the biggest impact on me as a player and human being."

Injury Care and Player Welfare

Multiple testimonials specifically address how Coach Taylor handled injuries and player health, describing a coach who prioritized safety and long-term health over short-term performance.

Olivia Lynch, Colgate University's sole senior captain from 2019-2022, recounted: "At our very first practice, she told us, 'I will never ask you to play through injury, but I will ask you to push through the pain.' When my shin splints began affecting my play, Coach Taylor told me to step out and give my shins time to heal. When I tore my ACL junior year, she supported me completely, prioritizing my recovery. Senior season, when tendonitis made running painful, she told me I didn't need to push unnecessarily. I sat out conditioning sessions until fully recovered."

Nicole Delany Brown (Le Moyne, 2016-2019) shared: "During national championship weekend, I woke up sick the day before the championship game. Kathy, without hesitation, brought me to urgent care and spoke to the doctors to make sure I was safe. We went on to win that championship."

Julia Sardella (Le Moyne) stated: "During my junior year, I suffered a season-ending injury. Coach Taylor gave me tools to transition into a leadership role. At no point did I feel that my injury was handled poorly. If anything, she took our setbacks personally, approaching them with empathy and understanding."

Mental Health and Personal Support

Numerous testimonials highlighted Coach Taylor's support during players' most difficult personal moments.

Madison Pritchard Killen (Le Moyne, 2017-2019) wrote: "After transferring multiple times and struggling with my mental health, Coach Taylor opened her team and her heart to me when I needed it most. She made me feel seen, valued, and safe in a way that went far beyond being an athlete. I have never had a coach who cared so deeply about the people behind the jerseys."

Jackie Pardee, who played 2014-2018 and was later hired as assistant coach, shared: "Coach Taylor supported me through really hard family losses and fully supported me as I came out as queer to my team. I will never forget telling her about that first queer breakup. That night, an email came through letting me know she was thinking of me—she had typed out the lyrics to 'I Will Survive' by Gloria Gaynor."

Grace Milmoe (Le Moyne, 2016-2019) wrote: "Kathy recognized that I was struggling mentally and physically with an eating disorder and took me under her wing with genuine care and support. She created an environment where accountability and compassion coexisted."

A Demanding Coach With Purpose

Nicole Bello (SUNY Cortland, 2012-2016, later Graduate Assistant Coach) wrote: "Coach Taylor taught us to 'Get comfortable with the uncomfortable.' In my own opinion, this generation wants to be the best but many don't understand the level of discipline and hard work it takes. Everyone fantasizes about the confetti, trophies, and rings. Nobody wants to talk about what it actually takes to get there. I fully support her. Never have I even speculated abuse or mistreatment."

Julie Healey, who became an All-American at Towson University, stated: "Coach Taylor picked me out on the soccer field in 8th grade, put a lacrosse stick in my hand, and from there began a journey that changed my life. I would not have been able to handle the adversity and challenges of being a Division I student-athlete without Coach Taylor's guidance, support, and preparation."

Professional and Personal Impact

Brenna Bastian, now assistant coach for FM Varsity Girls, wrote: "To this day, Kathy remains an important presence in my life. She attended my wedding, has supported my own children, and was one of my biggest cheerleaders when I returned to coach at the program she once guided."

About Coach Kathy Taylor

Kathy Taylor has coached women's lacrosse for over 30 years, building successful programs at every level. Her teams have earned multiple state championships, conference titles, four Final Four appearances, and a 2018 National Championship. She has been inducted into three Halls of Fame. Her legacy is reflected in the nearly 50 former players and coaches who credit her with shaping not just their athletic careers, but the people they have become.

Read the full story here: https://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/531371/nearly-50-former-players-publicly-support-coach-kathy-taylor-amid-allegations

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