Janet Grubbs is in her 14th season as head coach for women's lacrosse at Longwood University during 2007-08. The Lancers finished 2007 with a 3-13 record while competing in their first season of NCAA Division I eligibility via the Multidivisional Reclassification. Grubbs is now 120-72-1 (.624%) through her 13 years at the institution.
The 2006 season saw Longwood and Coach Grubbs finish with a 6-10 record. The Lancers were 12-3 during 2005, their first year as a countable Division I opponent and the second year of the four-year Division I Reclassification.
Coach Grubbs led the Lancers to consecutive appearances in the NCAA Division II National Championships (2002, 2003), including a national runners-up finish in 2003 while finishing 13-2. She led the 2002 Lancers to a school-record 15-1 mark while advancing to the NCAA National Semifinals. Longwood was ranked #1 in the IWLCA National Poll for the final seven weeks of the season as the Lancers completed an undefeated regular season at 15-0, earning Grubbs the IWLCA Division II National Coach of the Year honors.
Longwood posted a record of 12-3 during 2001 to equal the previous school-record for season wins. The team also earned the #1 seed for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championship Tournament. The team was ranked #4 in the final IWLCA Division II Coaches Poll.
Grubbs brought to Longwood an extensive background in both playing and coaching women's lacrosse. As a 10-year member of the U.S. Team, which she captained in 1986, she faced such international opponents as England and Australia. She has also played in the national tournament for both the South and Philadelphia 25 times.
Grubbs was inducted into the Virginia Lacrosse Hall of Fame by the Charlottesville Lacrosse Foundation, Inc., a regional chapter of US Lacrosse, October 23, 1999 at the Omni Hotel in Charlottesville, Va.. Grubbs was among nine individuals to be inducted, and became the third member of the prestigious hall of fame with Longwood connections. Former Lancer Julie Dayton '81, along with Jane Miller, a former coach at the College, are already in the Virginia Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Grubbs also was inducted into Collegiate High School Athletic Hall of Fame November 6, 2004. She was one of eight individuals inducted into the Hall of Fame and was selected on her athletic accomplishments while at the school.
Grubbs' coaching experience began at Collegiate School in Richmond, where she initiated the school's now powerhouse program. From 1977-90 Grubbs was instrumental in moving the University of Richmond's program from the NCAA Division II level to the NCAA Division I level. While in Division II, the Spiders advanced to the final four three consecutive seasons.
As coach of Longwood's tradition-rich program, Grubbs expects her players to perform to the best of their abilities both on and off the playing field. Academics is a strong focus for the Lancer squad, and Grubbs sees the importance of providing an academic and athletic atmosphere in which her players can succeed.
Grubbs is a graduate of Ursinus (Pa.), and earned her master's degree in outdoor education from the University of Northern Colorado. She resides in the Farmville area.
