Spencer returns as Northwestern lacrosse assistant

Danielle Spencer, a two-time All-American in lacrosse and member of three NCAA championship-winning teams as a player at Northwestern (2007-10), will join head coach Kelly Amonte Hiller’s staff as an assistant.

Spencer spent the 2012 season as a first-year assistant coach at Stanford University.

“(Stanford head coach) Amy Bokker took a chance on hiring me last season and I feel so fortunate to have had my first coaching experience with her at one of the best athletic programs in the country,” Spencer said. “Northwestern holds a special place in my heart because it is my alma mater and I look forward to the unique experience of returning to the University and contributing in this capacity.”

Spencer is the third former Northwestern player under Amonte Hiller to return to NU as an assistant coach, following in the footsteps of Lindsey Munday and Ann Elliott.

“We are thrilled to welcome Danielle back to Northwestern,” Amonte Hiller said. “She was an extremely hard worker and student of the game as a player, and I am excited to see those qualities passed on to our current team.”

Spencer played in 83 games for the Wildcats with 65 starts, finishing her All-American career ranked second all-time at NU with 203 draw controls and eighth with 238 points (193 goals, 45 assists). Her 110 draw controls in 2010 marked the highest single-season total in Northwestern lacrosse history and still stands as the third-most for a single season in the NCAA Division I record book.

Spencer also was a three-time All-American Lacrosse Conference selection, garnering first-team recognition in 2009 and 2010. Academically, Spencer was a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar in her senior year, graduating with a degree in social policy.