WASHINGTON (September 11, 2024) - Howard University women's lacrosse head coach Karen Healy-Silcott enjoyed a memorable summer experience in Mexico City as a Diplomatic Sports Envoy, representing the U.S. Embassy.
 
Showcasing her dedication, Healy-Silcott embraced the challenge of teaching in a foreign language, which was a crucial step in her mission to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others through her passionate teaching of lacrosse. 

"This was the first time I've been to Mexico," Healy-Silcott said. "It was an incredible experience and mutually beneficial. A trip like this gives you so much perspective. Sometimes, you can get complacent in your day-to-day job and something like this rejuvenates and inspires you, especially when you can have different experiences. There was the added challenge for me to work hard, engage them in their space and not come to them as an English-speaking American. I had to learn how to communicate effectively by learning Spanish in real time. It has always been important to me to give back to the game while helping to diversify the sport."
 
Healy-Silcott enjoyed the long days, which usually lasted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., during the week she spent in North America's most populous city. The trainings took place at the Mexican Olympic Committee Training Center. She had a male counterpart and together they ran coach's clinics for about 50 coaches in Mexico City. As an elite athlete herself, there was something extra special about being at the Olympic training center while the Olympics games were happening in Paris. 

Even though the schedule was packed, Healy-Silcott did get a chance to eat great food and see the torch from the 1968 Olympics, Aztec ruins in the middle of the city and the Angel of Independence, Mexico City's version of the Statue of Liberty.
 
Healy-Silcott was one of many Howard coaches who traveled abroad this past summer.
 
Volleyball head coach Shaun Kupferberg took the volleyball team to Africa and men's basketball head coach Kenneth Blakeney and his program visited Brazil. Howard's golf program, under Director of Golf Sam Puryear, is scheduled to compete at St. Andrew's Golf Course in October. 

Sports Envoys serves their country while making a positive difference in the lives of youth and marginalized groups around the world by sharing their personal experiences with those who look up and admire the accomplishments of American athletes and coaches. They gain a new understanding of international cultures while sharing their own.
 
"Working with the Embassy was special because I was doing something important," Healy-Silcott said. "Sports diplomacy shared that this was the first time they had done a lacrosse clinic anywhere and I am humbled to have been asked. This experience made me want to go back to Mexico City, for sure. Knowing I am contributing to the game's growth is something I don't take lightly, not to mention the special bond I formed with the participants during the week."
 
While the experience in Mexico City was exciting for Healy-Silcott, the Bison lacrosse program had a meaningful opportunity ahead. The Bison participated in the One Lacrosse Gathering Celebration in D.C. Saturday, Sept. 7. This event goes beyond community service for the Bison program as it was a significant chance to raise awareness about lacrosse and actively engage with the community.
 
"I don't have the words to describe how cool this is going to be," Healy-Silcott said ahead of the event. "One great thing about our location is that I have the ability to expose my student-athletes to so much. We understand that we represent something powerful to our community, specifically those who aspire to play lacrosse in college." 

Focused on sharing the foundation of lacrosse, which includes respect, strength, endurance and teamwork, The One Lacrosse Gathering is a celebration of inclusivity. Held on the JFK Hockey Fields on the National Mall, local independent D.C. youth lacrosse organizations and national lacrosse organizations will collaborate to showcase the sport's different principles to diverse communities.
 
Healy-Silcott, who leads her program with love and positivity, enjoyed a first-hand glimpse of the inspirational power of representation. She recently took her 12 freshmen to a women's lacrosse pro game at the USA headquarters and the reception her student-athletes received from those in attendance was fantastic. The energy was electric as they were treated like celebrities as fans requested selfies and autographs.
 
"It was at that moment that my freshmen understood what it meant to play for Howard and what we represent to people," Healy-Silcott said. "We have a lot of pride in what we can do to change the lacrosse landscape. It is special to know that we are laying the groundwork for future success for Howard lacrosse and planting seeds to continue growing the sport. Our community service events are not one-offs because we aim to have an enduring impact while we continue contributing to the community. This is going to be powerful for our team."

Rob Knox is an award-winning professional. A member of the Lincoln (Pa.) Hall of Fame, Knox enjoyed a distinguished career as an athletics communicator for Lincoln, Kutztown, Coppin State, Towson, and UNC Greensboro. He also worked at ESPN and for the Delaware County Daily Times. Recently, Knox was honored by the NCAA with its Champion of Diversity award and by College Sports Communicators with the Mary Jo Haverbeck Trailblazer Award. Knox is a graduate of Lincoln University and a past president of the College Sports Information Directors Association of America (CoSIDA).

For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.