TALLAHASSEE, FL – Wilkes University assistant women's soccer coach Lilly Cross has been named the recipient of a Moms in Coaching Grant presented by the Alex Morgan Foundation in partnership with WeCOACH as announced Monday afternoon at the WeCOACH Regional Workshop in Washington, D.C.
 
This monetary grant celebrates and supports moms in the coaching profession. Launched in October 2024, this initiative from the Alex Morgan Foundation is designed to help high-potential college coaches who are also moms stay in the game - providing the support they need to thrive in both their professional and personal lives. AMF partnered with WeCOACH to identify Cross and thanks to a nomination from Landmark Commissioner Katie Boldovich, the grant was awarded.
 
"We are so excited for Lilly and her family on this honor," said Assistant AD for Compliance/Women's Soccer Head Coach John McNichol. "She is a fantastic role model to all of our student-athletes and we know she will be an even better mother. Her hard work and dedication to helping our team on and off the field is paramount in our team's success. We could not think of someone more deserving for this honor allowing her to continue to work in the field she is passionate about while still being a great mother," he added.
 
Cross is in her second season on the sidelines at Wilkes in 2025 after being named the program's first full-time assistant a year earlier. Besides being on the pitch with the Colonels, Cross serves as the head coach of the United Women's Soccer (UWS) League 1 Back Mountain Torrent in Dallas, Pa., a position she has held since 2023.
 
During her playing days, Cross was a standout at national power Messiah College where she was a part of three Middle Atlantic Conference championships and made the NCAA Sweet 16, Elite 8 and Final 4 including a National Runner-Up in 2016.
 
She graduated from Messiah in 2019 with her bachelor's degree in athletic training.