Zachary Kjeldsen Named Head Coach for UDC Women's Lacrosse Program

Washington, DC- The University of the District of Columbia is pleased to announce the appointment of Zachary Kjeldsen as the Head Coach for the UDC Women's Lacrosse program. Kjeldsen  officially begins his new role on February 9th, 2026.

Zachary Kjeldsen brings a wealth of experience to this position, having served most recently as the Volunteer Assistant Men's Lacrosse Coach at the University of the District of Columbia from 2024 to 2026. In this role, Kjeldsen supported all program operations, including recruiting, evaluation, and retention of student-athletes. He was instrumental in designing and leading practices, assisting with game planning, and conducting scouting and film analysis. His dedication to mentoring players in leadership, teamwork, and academic success was notable, as was his representation of the program at recruiting events, campus visits, and community engagement initiatives.

Prior to his tenure at UDC, Kjeldsen was the Offensive Coordinator for Men's Lacrosse at Anne Arundel Community College. During his time there from 2016 to 2018 and again from 2020 to 2022, he directed offensive strategy for a nationally ranked NJCAA program. He successfully recruited top talent, producing five NJCAA All-Americans and nineteen All-Region XX athletes. His responsibilities included managing offensive drills, player development, game planning, and competition logistics. Kjeldsen also supported student-athlete academic achievements and facilitated their transfer to four-year programs.

Kjeldsen is a proud alumnus of the University of the District of Columbia, where he earned a BA in Political Science. During his time as a student-athlete at UDC, he served as the Lacrosse Team Captain from 2013 to 2015, taking on various positions such as Attack, Close Defense, Midfield, and Goal Tender. His educational journey began at The Salisbury School in Salisbury, MD, where he was an All-Conference athlete in lacrosse, soccer, and basketball and served as a four-year lacrosse captain from 1999 to 2003.

In recognition of his coaching achievements, Kjeldsen was named the Liberty District Assistant Lacrosse Coach of the Year in 2016. His expertise spans recruiting, retention, student-athlete academic support, offensive strategy, film analysis, scouting, and game planning. He has a proven ability to build and sustain competitive programs at JV, varsity, and collegiate levels.

Director of Athletics Patricia Thomas expressed her enthusiasm for the new hire, stating, "Zachary's vision for the growth of our women's lacrosse program is consistent with our goals. He brings a wealth of experience to the position. He is an extremely enthusiastic ambassador for the University of the District of Columbia which began with his experience as a student-athlete here."

The University of the District of Columbia warmly welcomes Zachary Kjeldsen to his new role and looks forward to the continued development and success of the women's lacrosse program under his leadership.