Upper Dublin girls lacrosse coach Dee Cross earned the 200th win of her career on April 14, 2014.
By Mary Jane Souder
Dee Cross never really gave coaching a second thought, and she certainly didn’t anticipate that her playing career would continue after a stellar career at Shippensburg where she was a three-sport star.
“I was a business major, and I thought I would be done with sports after that,” said Cross, who excelled in lacrosse, field hockey and basketball and was team MVP of all three sports as a senior. “I had played them all my life. I thought I would work in the business world because I idolized my older cousin because that’s what she did, and that’s what I thought I would do too.
“My dad (the late John Fichter) kept saying, ‘You should get your teaching certification and coach.’ I was like, ‘Nah.’”
Cross apparently didn’t have a whole lot of conviction behind that ‘nah,’ and the fall after graduating from Shippensburg where she was named AIAW Division III Field Hockey Player of the Year after leading the team to its only national championship, she was hired as the assistant field hockey and assistant basketball coach at her alma mater, Norristown High School. That spring she coached lacrosse at Montgomery County Community College.
“That started my coaching career, and I loved it,” Cross said.
Fast forward to April 14, 2014, and the veteran coach reached a milestone when her Upper Dublin squad defeated Abington – a team she coached for 13 seasons – 17-7. The win was number 200 of a stellar coaching career for Cross.
“I’m glad I did it and that I’m doing it,” said Cross, who took over the helm at UD in 2007. “It’s been very rewarding.”
Her coaching journey began when - Inspired to follow her late father’s suggestion - Cross enrolled at Temple University and earned her certification to become a business teacher.
“I became a teacher basically so I could coach,” Cross said.
She began her teaching career at Abington in the fall of 1984, and the following spring, she was on the sidelines, helping with the ninth grade team. After serving as an assistant, she took over the helm in 1987, a position she held for 13 seasons.
In 1989, Cross was captain of the US Women’s World Cup team that captured the gold medal. She was a member of the national team for nine years.
One year later, Cross, the mother of four daughters, stopped teaching to be with her children, and she opted to leave coaching as well in 1999. In 2003, Cross enrolled at West Chester to obtain her certification in health and physical education. She was hired to teach health and PE at Upper Dublin in the fall of 2005. Initially, Cross was an assistant under Kendra Finger but switched places with her in the spring of 2007 when she became the varsity coach.
“I wasn’t looking to be a head coach again,” Cross said. “The girls were growing up. It just kind of happened.”
Ninety of her 200 wins came during her coaching stint at Abington, which saw the Ghosts advance to district playoffs six years in a row. At Upper Dublin, Cross guided the Flying Cardinals to six straight American Conference championships. In addition to earning a trip to districts every year, the Cards advanced to the state playoffs in 2011.
For Cross, it hasn’t been about the wins and losses or the championships, but rather, it’s been about the people.
“Just the people you meet and watching players develop through the season, coming in as freshmen and not only how much they improve but watching them graduate as seniors and then watching some of the girls who’ve gone on to play in college – that, to me, is what it’s all about,” Cross said. “Helping the girls decide what they want to do and hopefully guiding them and helping them make decisions. Also the friendships you make with other coaches - that, to me, is what it’s all about.”
Cross is a member of the South Central Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame and the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
Quite a resume for someone who thought her involvement in sports was over when she gradated from college, and John Fichter apparently knew his daughter better than she knew herself when he encouraged her to pursue a career that almost didn’t happen.
They said:
“I couldn't be more happy for Dee winning her 200th game. She has been such a role model for me as a coach. She has such a great passion for the game, and that passion is transferred to her players when they step on the field.
“I had the opportunity to learn from Dee in my first three years coaching as her assistant. I learned more about the sport in those three years than I ever did while playing. Dee is a motivator and prepares her team to the best of her ability for every game they play.
“It doesn't surprise me that Dee reached this milestone. She cares about her players and wants what is best for each of them. Even now that I coach for another team in the area, she still keeps in contact and is a mentor to me. She is selfless and one of the best- if not the best- coaches in the area.”
--Souderton coach Kelly (Yemm) Kelly, Upper Dublin (2003)
“Back in 1991, I had the pleasure of meeting Dee Cross as an aspiring, very green, seventh grade Abington Lacrosse Club player. Flash forward to 2001--Dee called me to ask if I would be interested in coaching the Abington High School girls lacrosse team. Their season was days away, and their previous coach resigned just days before the season. I was right out of college--22--and I could not pass up on this opportunity. Because of Dee Cross, I spent 10 wonderful seasons coaching the Ghosts of Abington! Because of Dee Cross, I had the most rewarding lacrosse experience of my life--building a program and watching girls develop and thrive. Because of Dee Cross, I helped to spread the love of lacrosse, just like she did for me as a seventh grader! Congratulations, Coach Cross--you are easily one of the most influential and classiest women I have ever played for, played against, coached against, and been mentored by!”
--Former Abington coach Julie Martinez
“We are extremely fortunate to have at the helm of our program a person with the background and knowledge of the game that Coach Cross possesses. The success that she has experienced is a testament to her leadership and the passion she has for the game. I am not surprised she reached her 200th victory; however she never mentioned it to anyone. It just goes to show you that not only is she a fantastic coach and wonderful person, she is incredibly humble to boot."
--Eric Greiner, Athletic Director, Upper Dublin High School
“There is no one that deserves this more than my mom. She has been an outstanding coach ever since I can remember. She is more knowledgeable about the game of lacrosse than anybody I know. She has made such a significant impact on not only us, her daughters, but on anyone that she has coached. I am very proud of my mom and I think that she is such an inspirational women in the lacrosse world. Her coaching philosophy is never to yell or scold her players. Instead she takes time to work with individual players and to explain why they are making mistakes.”
--Alison Cross, 2012 Graduate of Shippensburg University
“My mom has been involved with lacrosse as long as I can remember. She has watched the game grow and has had a huge impact on the sport. She is the reason I am playing at the highest level possible in college right now. She was an amazing coach growing up and has taught me more than she will ever realize. She continues to be a supportive mom and coach while I am at Syracuse, and I could not be happier that she has reached this milestone in her coaching career.
--Amy Cross, Senior at Syracuse University
“Playing for my mom was one of the greatest opportunities that I have had when it comes to sports. There are not very many people who can say that they had the chance to do that. I wouldn't trade that experience for anything. I can distinctly remember being ahead in big games in high school, being able to look over at my mom in the middle of the game, and all we could do was smile at each other. She was always so proud of us but has never really known how proud of her we all are, which is why this is such a special accomplishment. It's so cool to know that Ali (our oldest sister), Amy (the second oldest), Julie (the youngest) and I all had the opportunity to play a part in our Mom getting her 200th win
“There were so many times when people would ask, ‘Do you like playing for your mom? I feel like that would be hard,’ and I used to always just smile and say that I loved it. Because I did! My mom is one of the most knowledgeable and caring coaches that I have had the opportunity to play for. Two hundred wins is a huge milestone for her and I couldn't be more proud!”
--Kelly Cross, Sophomore at Syracuse University
“When I was sitting out of the (Abington) game with about two minutes left, I quickly remembered it was my mom’s 200th win. Something like that is amazing to do, and the fact that we beat her old team made it ten times better. My mom is a great coach. She helps everyone understand their role on the team. A lot of people ask me if it's weird that my mom’s my coach, and honestly I love it. Although we do disagree a lot (ha ha), it's games like (her 200th win) where I run up to her and give her a hug. Not many people can be comfortable doing that with a coach. I am so honored to have such an amazing coach and mom help me through my high school seasons. There is no way I would be going to play college lacrosse if it weren't for my mom.”
--Julie Cross, Junior at Upper Dublin High School
“My aunt was a great role model for me growing up. Her determination to succeed and better herself motivated me at an early age to do the same. I learned to work hard and compete...even at the young age of 10 at her summer camps. That motivation and love for the game carried over to all four of her girls as they have all excelled in the sport.
“Competition is the name of the game in our family. No matter what we do, we compete in it. While it can be fun and crazy at times, it has carried over to athletics and life and makes us all work hard and play harder. When you learn to compete, you continue to work hard to better yourself no matter what you are working towards.
“Pop Pop would have been so proud to have seen her get her 200th win as he was always there supporting not only his granddaughters, but making sure to tell Dee what a great job she did coaching every game. He was her #1 fan and is definitely smiling down at her and her accomplishments.”
- Katrina (Metz) Borzelleca, Plymouth Whitemarsh High School, Niece of Dee Cross
“Dee has always been a tough competitor, as a player and a coach. The entire family is proud of her accomplishments. It's been great watching her coach her girls at Upper Dublin, coach against (my daughter) Katrina when she was the assistant coach for several years at PW, and also when Dee was coaching at Abington and they would play against Katrina at PW. She has loved it all
“Our dad would've been so excited. He was always so proud of Dee. It's been hard for her to have him missing at her games.”
--Barb (Fichter) Metz, Sister of Dee Cross
“Dee is a first rate coach. I’m pretty sure she was the one who started up the first lax club youth program, and high school kids would stay after practice to help coach the kids. She did and still does a wonderful job balancing coaching/mothering her own four daughters...it’s not an easy task to coach your own children, and yet she has stepped up to the plate and the results speak for themselves. All four daughters are exceptional athletes. I’m so happy for Dee on her 200th win, but knowing Dee, it is much more about the kids and how she sees it as such a privilege to share her love of lacrosse and life in general.”
--Carolyn Stuetz, Former Abington Assistant Coach
"Wishing a well deserved congratulations to Coach Cross on her 200th win! I was so happy to hear this great news since last year as a senior, I was present for her 100th league win (at Upper Dublin), so I understand how proud everyone on the team is feeling to be led by such a consistent and hard working coach. Coach Cross played such an instrumental role in my development on and off the field, and I wish her and the rest of the team the best of luck as they head into the end of their season!"
--Samantha Boyd, Upper Dublin Class of 2013
“Coach Cross was a true inspiration during my four years being coached by her. She created an atmosphere of motivation to ensure our success. She pushed each one of us to be better players on and off the field. I know I wouldn't be playing lacrosse in college now if it weren't for her pushing me to my full potential in high school.”
--Steph Speese, Upper Dublin Class of 2011
“Mrs Cross cares about her players on and off the field. Without her motivation, guidance and dedication to her players I would not currently be playing lacrosse at Lafayette. She is an admirable coach; so happy I was able to be a part in her 200 wins! Congrats Coach Cross!”
--Brooke Callahan, Upper Dublin Class of 2011
“I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to be coached by Coach Cross for my last three years of high school. Anyone could google “Dee Cross” and read about her international playing experience and her extensive coaching resume. What that stat sheet might fail to mention is her absolute love for the game of lacrosse and her passion and dedication for molding each of her players into the best individual players and teammates they can be. I am not just a better lacrosse player, but a better person because of the many lessons I learned playing for Coach Cross. 200 wins is an amazing feat, and I am proud to say I was there at the beginning of that journey! Congratulations, Coach!”
--Liz Wall, Upper Dublin Class of 2009
"Congratulations to Coach Cross on achieving an incredible milestone! Dee has worked very hard for the past 30 years, dedicating herself to a game that she loves and is very deserving of this honor. One would never know that Dee has achieved this great milestone as she is a very modest person and would never brag about her accomplishments. Thank you, Coach Cross, for your dedication, hard work and passion that you have put into the sport of women's lacrosse. It has been an honor to coach alongside of you as you are a class act both on and off the field."
--Assistant Upper Dublin Coach Kendra Finger
- Log in to post comments
