IUP Athletic Hall of Fame
Taylor Norwood, the first two-time lacrosse All-American in school history and IUP’s first-ever first-team selection, capped a sensational senior year in 2014 with her nomination for NCAA Division II Defensive Player of the Year honors. A disruptive force, she finished second in the nation in caused turnovers.
Norwood helped elevate a program that had enjoyed only one winning season in its 13-year existence before her arrival. The Crimson Hawks finished 11-7 in her freshman season to set a school record for wins, went 11-6 a year later and then set school standards that still stand for victories and winning percentage (.813) with a 13-3 record in 2013. IUP also advanced to the semifinals of the PSAC tournament.
The Hawks went 13-5 in Norwood’s senior season and again reached the PSAC semifinals. Coach Mindy Richmond’s team was ranked as high as seventh nationally in the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association weekly poll.
Norwood earned ample recognition for her contributions to the Crimson Hawks’ success. She was a four-time All-PSAC selection, a four-time all-region pick and was twice acknowledged as an All-American.
She thrived in an IUP uniform from the start of her career. Norwood earned first-team PSAC and second-team All-Atlantic Region honors and was named a Synapse Sports Freshman All-American in 2011. She earned second-team IWLCA All-America honors in 2013 and a year later became the program’s very first first-team selection, by the IWLCA and Lacrosse Magazine.
Norwood was later selected to IUP’s 2010s All-Decade team.
A two-year captain, Norwood ranks first on the school’s career list in caused turnovers (125), second in ground balls (156) and seventh in draw controls (153). Norwood holds the single-season school record for caused turnovers (46), set in 2014. She also led the Crimson Hawks that year in ground balls (50) and draw controls (77).
A 2014 IUP graduate with a BS degree in nursing, Norwood works as an RN at VHC Health in Arlington, Va. She lives in Haymarket, Va., with her husband, Michael Snyder, and their children, Blakely, 2, and Barrett, 3 months.
Personal Reflection
I am so honored to be inducted into the IUP Athletics Hall of Fame. As I reflect over my time at IUP from both an athletic and educational standpoint, I couldn’t be more thankful.
Managing performing on the lacrosse field for four years while earning a nursing degree taught me a lot. I learned I could challenge myself and do hard things, but also have fun and create a bond with a group of teammates that I will cherish forever.
I had unwavering support from my parents, my siblings and also my team, which I will be forever grateful for. I am so thankful for this honor. IUP will always hold a special place in my heart.
