Natalie Wills, a passionate lacrosse advocate and USA Lacrosse staff member, passed away on June 26 following a courageous battle against cancer. She was just 36.
Wills joined the USA Lacrosse staff in 2014 and served in a variety of roles over the next 12 years, most notably helping to launch the organization’s National Team Development Program.
“Nat was one of the first people I got to spend time with when I came into the organization and her positive energy always made me smile,” said USA CEO Marc Riccio. “Nat made USA Lacrosse, the game and all those around her better.”
A native of Kent Island, Md., Wills was a standout goalie who was a four-year letterwinner at Vanderbilt, finishing her career with over 400 saves. She helped the Commodores reach the American Lacrosse Conference championship game in 2010 and as a senior helped Vanderbilt beat four Top 20 teams. She was named to the U.S. Development Team in 2009-10.
Following her playing career, Wills began coaching at the collegiate level at Boston University. She was an assistant coach with the Terriers for three seasons and then joined the University of Maryland staff as a volunteer coach.
Wills got her start at USA Lacrosse working with the lacrosse operations department, focusing on coach education and athlete development. In 2016 she was voted by her peers as the organization's MVP at an annual staff awards ceremony. In 2018, she was promoted to senior manager, overseeing the National Team Development Program. The program officially launched in 2019, and now brings more than 2,000 high school players to the national team pipeline – providing high-level training from top coaches and national team alumni.
In 2022, Wills shifted to the partnership team and since 2025 had served as a project coordinator working on various initiatives throughout the organization.
She also returned to the sidelines in 2025, serving as an assistant coach with the girls’ lacrosse team at the McDonogh School (Md.). Her positive impact on everyone around her was recognized when the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland schools came together last fall for a “Light the Fight” fundraiser in her honor during her fight against cancer.
Schools and organizations near and dear to her heart have shared their sympathies in recent days.
A visitation will be held at Fellows Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, 106 Shamrock Road Chester, MD 21619 on Monday, July 6 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm.
A celebration of Natalie’s life and Catholic Mass will take place at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church, 1861 Harbor Drive Chester, MD 21619 on Tuesday, July 7, at 10:00am with interment immediately following the Mass, at Stevensville Cemetery.
