Avery Cheeseman, arts & culture editor

Did you know that Augsburg University was the first school in Minnesota to add women’s lacrosse as an NCAA sport? Now, more than 10 years later, the team has been through its fair share of turbulence. The team faced small roster numbers, passive-aggressive coaches, and inconsistent program goals that impeded the team’s growth. But something has changed this team’s unfortunate situation.

Last season, Hemie Collier, whom the players all call Coach C, was named the new coach of the Augsburg University Women’s Lacrosse team. With him, the program has drastically shifted and morphed. This season alone, the team has gained over eight new players. But beyond numbers, Collier has brought a new philosophy and level of competition to the program.

Collier asks a very important question to all of his players this year, “What does Augsburg Lacrosse mean to you?” In the past, players were told that they had to go out and play “Augsburg Lacrosse,” but what does “Augsburg Lacrosse” even mean? Collier has pushed each of his players to brainstorm and critically think about what playing Augsburg Lacrosse means to them and the program as a whole.

I got to sit down with Bella Kohout, a senior on the women’s lacrosse team. Kohout told me what the team has been up to during the preseason training, known as “Fall Ball.” Fall ball has been filled with going back to the basics and fostering community among the team and with other teams as well. The captain calls this philosophy “championing other teams.” Lacrosse is just one of the many sports Augsburg hosts, which means that inter-athlete camaraderie is at the top of the program’s priorities. 

Kohout and her teammates are really looking forward to this upcoming season, backed up by their new team philosophy and camaraderie. “I’m looking forward to a good season of lacrosse […] scoring and […] growing the team culture differently than how it was previously.” Kohout and her teammates all look forward to spring of 2026, when the team will be able to show their growth on a stage for all to see. The team has been working relentlessly in their pursuit of this goal while still taking the time to have fun. 

The lacrosse team will open the season with its first games in early February. It is not too late to still check out the program if you are interested in playing, as the team is looking to grow its numbers beyond where they are now. Kohout ended our interview by telling me, “If anyone wants to come experience a day of practice, then come experience a day of practice. Let’s show you what it’s all about!” The team is focusing on fostering a welcoming environment for anyone to join, and would love to see some new faces coming out to support.