"As a parent, this season was extremely disappointing. Be clear, this was not a rebuilding team , it was a strong, competitive group that had the ability to succeed, even at the Division I level in the NEC, if coached and positioned correctly. Instead, there was a clear lack of leadership and coaching ability. There didn’t seem to be a real understanding of the team’s strengths, no meaningful adjustments, and no plan to put players in a position to win. Beyond performance, there were also instances of inappropriate questions or interactions that made players uncomfortable, which is unacceptable. What’s most concerning is the overall impact, a strong, winning team was handed over and ended the season regressing across the board, from results to confidence and mental well-being. Student-athletes deserve leadership that supports both their development and their experience, and this season fell far short of that."

"The women’s lacrosse program at the University of New Haven has suffered greatly under the current Head Coach. Key issues include poor leadership, inconsistent communication, and a lack of player development. Practices feel childish, expectations are unclear, and decisions lack transparency, leading to frustration and low team morale. The recent coaching transition further eroded trust. Administration told players they would have a voice in the process, but that promise was not kept. The Athletic Director made the decision independently and informed the team via email. There are also concerns about the team environment. The coach has reportedly used vulgar language toward players, and there appears to be little ability to adjust strategy during games. Overall, the program does foster the growth and confidence expected at the college level. "

"The women’s lacrosse program at University of New Haven is heading in a concerning direction under the current coaching staff. The biggest issues are leadership, communication, and player development. Practices feel disorganized, expectations are unclear, and communication is inconsistent. Decisions don’t always seem transparent, which has created frustration and low morale within the team. Most importantly, the environment does not seem to support or develop the players the way a college program should. Instead of building confidence and growth, it appears to be doing the opposite. As a parent, this is difficult. My daughter loves New Haven and wants to stay, but with multiple years ahead of her, it’s hard to feel confident about her future in this program as it currently stands. If you’re considering this program, I strongly recommend speaking directly with current and former players to understand the full experience."

"Coach Kit has been an absolute disappointment for a very talented group of young women. As the top leader of the program she should be setting a caring and safe culture for her team to thrive in. Instead, she has continuously tried to divide the team. Literally breaking them up into a “bad” group and a “good” group after a long day of scrimmaging. She is not knowledgeable about the sport and has zero compassion for her players. Players that once loved to play, now are second guessing their decision to stick with it. Kit has tried to put teammates against each other, but has repeatedly failed. Literally ruining the dream that most of these young women have had since they were little girls. Someone at the school should have checked in on this team. Their mental health is at stake. "

"Coach Kit is one of the best coaches. She is very knowledgeable of the game and can turn the game around in a second by motivating her players to go get the win. She always wants what’s best for her players including staying on top of us for our grades. Also she has proven that she’ll fight for all her players no matter what. I’m fully confident in Kit as a coach and I know I can depend on her even more as a person. The thing I respect the most is how direct she is when it comes to play time and the type of player you are. She will push you to become your best and will not accept less! "

"Severely under qualified. Has tried to create division within the team by encouraging players to talk badly about their teammates in individual meetings as well as trying to dig into their personal lives by asking for information that is far beyond what a coach should need to know. Lacks the ability to prepare the team for games through her lack of scouting and game IQ. Practices also include a lack for structure and overall coaching, with the team playing fun games that do not improve skills or gameplay instead of drills that benefit. Coach has also left many players who were previously confident in their abilities with a wavering confidence and insecurities about their play. New Haven has some amazing talent who are here to compete and this coach has hindered our ability to do so. "

"Coach Kit is not qualified to coach at the division 1 level. Poor communication, lack of game iq, poor planning, no strategy for winning, and playing mind games with the players are just some of the reasons she shouldn’t be in charge of this team. It’s sad to see what has become of the team under coach Kit. I truly hope UNH can find a way to undo this damage."

"From a parent perspective, based on observation of games and corroborated feedback shared among UNH athletes and families, the current coaching environment raises serious concerns regarding both program oversight and student-athlete well-being. There is little visible evidence of structured game planning or opponent-specific preparation, and from the sidelines there are little to no observable adjustments following timeouts or between quarter breaks, with the same patterns of play continuing throughout games. The team often appears unprepared, with inconsistent execution and declining intensity. Most concerning is the shift in the athletes themselves, which appears directly tied to the current coaching approach, as players increasingly show a loss of confidence in the program’s direction and leadership. Across the team, there is a clear pattern of confusion around expectations; frustration with limited game planning, player development, and substitution patterns that underutilize talent on a deep, highly skilled bench; and a sense that effort is not consistently or fairly recognized. As a result, athletes who were previously confident, cohesive, and high-performing now often show hesitation in play, disengagement, and visible tension among teammates. Families are increasingly sharing concerns among themselves about communication practices that appear to cross appropriate boundaries and contribute to division among teammates, undermining trust and creating an environment that does not feel psychologically safe for athletes. These young women are frequently seen leaving games visibly distressed, and families report declines in confidence, enjoyment of the game, and increasingly negative self-perception tied to their experience. These concerns do not appear to stem from the program’s transition to Division I, but rather from the current coaching environment. The level of talent on this roster, if properly developed and supported, is capable of competing at the top tier of the conference. Taken together, these patterns reflect an environment that is negatively impacting athlete well-being and undermining the program’s culture and competitive foundation, and warrant serious and immediate attention. This is especially concerning given that the university recently promoted this program’s strong, winning culture—including NCAA tournament appearances and s********s part of its transition to Division I."

"I believe her coaching style is toxic and harmful to both women’s sports and the mental well-being of athletes. Her approach lacks stability, consistency, and the level of knowledge expected to effectively lead a women’s lacrosse program. "

"This program was once a close-knit, successful team that supported and empowered its athletes, and that environment has been significantly damaged. The head coach’s incompetence is having a clear and concerning negative impact on student-athletes’ mental health. Instead of building strong, confident women, the environment is now defined by stress, anxiety, and fear. The head coach emphasizes “mental toughness” in a way that dismisses and overlooks mental health, creating a culture where athletes feel they must endure rather than be supported. As a result, players feel torn down rather than developed, and many who once loved the sport are now losing their passion. The head coach’s style creates division, pits players against one another, and fosters a toxic atmosphere where athletes feel unsupported and mentally drained. Practices are frequently disorganized, poorly planned, and at times chaotic, often feeling like the “Hunger Games” rather than structured Division I training. This lack of organization and oversight has created unsafe conditions and has contributed to preventable injuries during practice. Decisions appear inconsistent and influenced by personal bias, further eroding trust within the team. The combination of mental strain and physical risk is deeply concerning and does not meet the standard expected at the Division I level, where both athlete development and well-being should be a priority. It is especially concerning because this team already had a strong, winning culture. Instead of building on that foundation, the head coach has disrupted it, causing clear harm to team morale, confidence, physical safety, and overall mental health. "

"Nicole Belanger is one of those coaches who truly cares about their athletes and will do anything to help them out. She creates positive team culture, coaches with passion, and helps develop players. She’s a coach that you will remember and can call for anything and she’ll be there. She’s dedicated to her team and her beliefs which make her an amazing individual, and if you ever need any uplifting she has a few rubber ducks to give out. If you were to ask me to pick out one of my favorite coaches i would say Nicole Belanger. "

"Coach Faugy is a great coach. He hold you to a high standard and keeps everyone accountable on the team. "

"Coach truly cares about players. Staff has created a fantastic culture,"

"Dunky cares so much about her players and wants nothing but the best for them"

"I have never weight trained prior to college, Coach Faugy has taught me from the ground up. His sessions are intense and innovative. There is a rhyme and reason why you do things and if you follow the program, you will see unbelievable results. He also instills discipline to his athletes and always puts the team first. I am lucky to have gone through his program, He’s the best in the business."

"Coach taught me the techniques I needed to compete at the D-1 level in the late 1980's at Brown University!! Good Man!"

"I think there are much better programs and coaches out there. This coach needs to work strongly on developing his baseball knowledge, coaching development and people development skills. He doesn't leave people better off than when he found them."

"Pushes you hard but you can always count on her to talk and for support. She cares a lot. "

"He is all-in! He creates a culture of tough, hardworking and discipline athletes. He holds a high standard and cares about his athletes. He is one of the best coaches I have ever had."

"Coach Faugy is the best Strength coach I have ever had. I transferred from a high level Division 1 school and his strength program absolutely crushes my old school. "