Stephy Samaras Appointed Director of Girls Lacrosse at The St. James

Hall of Fame Player and Veteran Coach to Lead Girls Lacrosse Program

SPRINGFIELD, Va., March 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The St. James is proud to announce Stephy Samaras current Director of Girls Lacrosse is now also overseeing The St. James Academy lacrosse program. A two-time All-American, Hall of Fame inductee, and successful coach, Samaras brings decades of playing, coaching, and leadership experience to The St. James, further solidifying its status as a premier destination for lacrosse development.

Samaras has coached at every level, from college programs to international competition. She was an assistant coach at Yale, the first full-time head coach at Quinnipiac, and later led the University of Richmond's women's lacrosse program. Internationally, she served as head coach for the Wales and Greek national teams, guiding Wales to a European Championship in 2008.

Samaras is a Chesapeake Chapter of US Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee and a former four-year starter on defense at the University of Virginia. She helped lead the Cavaliers to two national championship game appearances (1998, 1999) and was named a First-Team All-American in 1999 and 2000. By the end of her collegiate career, she held the program record for caused turnovers. She went on to play for the U.S. National Development Team for two seasons.

"Stephy Samaras is an incredible addition to our leadership team at The St. James," said Elyse Graziano, Chief Sports Officer at The St. James. "Her career as both a player and coach provide unmatched expertise needed to help families navigate the pathway of the youth development journey through college recruitment

At The St. James, Samaras will lead a comprehensive lacrosse program focused on player development at every level. Program highlights include:

• Elite coaching and training for all positions, including team coaching and private instruction
• Strength, conditioning, and agility training to enhance performance
• Intensive camps and specialized programs for year-round play
• State-of-the-art field house, including an indoor turf field, locker rooms, and viewing stands
• Comprehensive recovery resources, featuring Courted spa, cryotherapy, cold plunge, and compression therapy
• Nutrition support, with customized meal plans and supplementation guidance from Vim & Victor

Samaras joins a distinguished group of directors recently announced across multiple sports, working alongside Spencer Ford (Boys Lacrosse), Tamika Dudley (Basketball), Darryl Overton (Football), Steve Bumbry (Baseball), Maurice Hutton (Track & Field), and Josh Taylor (Squash). Together, they will shape a world-class athletic development system that provides athletes with resources and opportunities to reach the highest levels of competition.

"I'm honored to join The St. James and help build something special," said Samaras. "This program has all the pieces in place to develop elite athletes, and I'm excited to be part of a team that is truly dedicated to excellence. I look forward to working with players who are passionate about the game and ready to elevate their skills."

Applications for the 2025–2026 academic year are now open at www.thestjames.com/academy.

• Open House & Evaluation Day: Saturday, March 29, 1:00pm–3:00pm 
• Evaluation Form Sign Up 
• Shadow days for prospective students available by request
• Applications for the 2025-2026 school year are due by March 31

For more information, visit www.thestjames.com and follow @thestjames on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

About The St. James
The St. James Teams give elite athletes year-round training, professional coaching, and competition across multiple sports. With access to state-of-the-art facilities—including performance centers, full-size fields, and recovery spaces—athletes train in an environment built for high-level development. Expert-led programs focus on skill refinement, strength and conditioning, and competitive readiness, preparing players for collegiate athletics, professional careers, and long-term success.

Media Contact:
Kristine Friend
703-239-6870
[email protected] 

SOURCE The St. James