AMHERST, Mass. – Following nearly three decades at Amherst, Chris Paradis, an iconic figure in the sport of women's lacrosse, has announced she will retire from coaching at the conclusion of the 2022 season.

Paradis will leave behind an incredible legacy that extends well beyond Pratt Field at Lehrman Stadium and the Amherst community. With a career coaching record of 312-116 (.729), Paradis has molded the Amherst women's lacrosse program into one of the most successful in the nation.

Her 312 wins is the 10^th most by any women's lacrosse coach across all divisions of the NCAA and the 4^th highest total at the Div. III level.

"I am so grateful to Amherst College, this program, and all the wonderful people I have had the privilege of working with who have contributed to an incredible journey through my professional career," Paradis said. "As I leave coaching, I warmly reflect on the relationships developed, the stories and lifelong memories made, and the pride I have in being a part of the Amherst Women's Lacrosse Family."

Paradis was named the Div. III National Coach of the Year in 2003 after Amherst won its first national championship and the NESCAC Coach of the Year in both 2014 and 2018. In addition, the IWLCA named Paradis the Berkshire Region Coach of the Year in 2014 and 2018.

 "Chris has had such an amazing coaching career," Amherst Director of Athletics Don Faulstick said. "Many people don't realize that when she first came to Amherst she served as the head coach for women's lacrosse and field hockey and was successful at both. Chris has made such a positive impact on the lives of many women's lacrosse and field hockey student-athletes as a coach, a mentor and friend. She truly cares more about her students' success and experiences off the field as well as their success on it."

Among the many highlights of her resume, Paradis has guided the Mammoths to back-to-back ECAC Championships (1997, 1998); 10 trips to the national quarterfinals (1996, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2014, 2018); six berths in the NCAA Final Four (1999, 2001, 2002, 2003,2004,2014) and a trio of appearances in the national title game (1999, 2001, 2003).

In total, Paradis has guided Amherst to 14 NCAA Tournament berths over her 26 seasons, guiding the Mammoths to a 27-13 (.675) record in tournament play.

Paradis was a standout field hockey and lacrosse player at the College of William & Mary before graduating in 1984, and went onto compete for the United States national team at the World Cup.

From there she began her coaching career as an assistant at Springfield College and Yale University. After arriving at Amherst, she coached the field hockey team to eight consecutive postseason appearances, including a trio of NCAA Tournament berths and a trip to the NCAA Championship final in 1999.

After winning the national championship in lacrosse and leaving the field hockey program, Paradis began the practice of yoga and became a certified yoga instructor and health coach. In the latter part of her coaching career she integrated her spiritual practice into her daily life and infused elements of mindfulness and yoga into her coaching. This created a holistic approach to running a competitive collegiate lacrosse program.   

She gained induction in to the New England Lacrosse Hall of Fame in January of 2004. Paradis was inducted into the William & Mary Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998.

"I want to thank every student-athlete, assistant coach, colleague, and opponent who helped build this program in to what it is today," she stated. "I am forever grateful to have had this opportunity, and for all the members of the program before me and throughout my career who have contributed to my growth as a person and professional. Lastly, I appreciate the colleagues at Amherst who supported both me and our lacrosse program. I am forever grateful and honored to be a Mammoth!"

Paradis will continue to work at Amherst in other capacities following her retirement from coaching.