On June 1st, 2023, Corban women’s lacrosse alumna Meredith Pinkerton was named the second head coach in program history after a historic career as a Warrior. She takes the reins of the program shortly after graduating in the spring of 2023 as a Navy and Gold graduate.
“We are extremely excited to have Meredith stay alongside us as a Warrior to begin her college coaching career!” Director of Athletics Bill Pilgeram shared regarding the recent Corban alumna. “Meredith perfectly exemplified what it means to be a student-athlete here at the University, and we have no doubts she will soar as the leader of the women’s lacrosse program as well. She has a great group of experienced coworkers alongside her in the Corban coaching staff that will be there with her every step of the way as she navigates the challenges associated with first-year head coach responsibilities.”
A local product from Salem, Oregon, Pinkerton originally started her collegiate career at Chemeketa Community College, just down the road from Corban. She was also a member of the girls’ swim team at West Salem High School for two full seasons, showcasing her versatility in athletics. She carried four seasons of eligibility with her as a sophomore transfer in 2021, when she began attending Corban as a history and education major.
Less than two weeks ago, Pinkerton accepted her college diploma from Interim President Dr. Tom Cornman in the spring 2023 Commencement ceremony, after switching majors midway through her collegiate career to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies. She graduated with a 3.93 GPA and was a multiple NAIA Scholar-Athlete for the women’s lacrosse program. In addition to the NAIA recognitions, she was also named to the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Honor Roll in the summer of 2022.
With her first season on the inaugural Warrior women’s lacrosse team being extremely altered due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pinkerton’s first official season came in the spring of 2022 on the brand new Outdoor Athletic Complex (OAC) at the base of Corban’s campus. The three-year starter led her team to a 4-2 record that season, highlighted by an 18-6 drubbing of NCAA DIII Whitworth University.
During her final season this past spring, Pinkerton solidified her spot on the Corban women’s lacrosse record books, as she ranks fourth all-time in career assists with seven throughout her two and a half seasons of play. She was the captain of a 2023 team that set a program record for goals in a single season with 101 scores coming in their seven counting games.
“I am so honored and excited to be stepping into the role of head coach for the women’s lacrosse team, as well as to become a part of Student Life through the position of Residence Director,” Pinkerton stated. “Both roles reflect the parts of Corban that were most meaningful to me as a student, and I am thrilled to have the chance to give back to each of these areas. The opportunity to be involved in the students’ spiritual, athletic, and academic journeys through their time at Corban is such a privilege, and I am incredibly thankful to have the chance to do so!”
