Gail Cummings-Danson, former collegiate and Canadian national team standout, possesses one such record as the top goal scorer in women’s lacrosse history.
Currently the Athletics Director at Skidmore College, Cummings-Danson’s lacrosse career spanned over fifteen years including a successful career at Temple University and stints with both the Canadian and US National Lacrosse teams.
While at Temple, she amassed an NCAA record 289 goals and garnered All-American honors three out of four years, including 88 goals during the 1988 season when she led Temple to a 19-0 record and the NCAA championship.
Cummings-Danson also excelled on the international level, playing in three World Championships as part of the Canadian National team and later helping the US National team to a World Championship in 1993.
In recognition of her many achievements on the field, Cummings-Danson was recently honored with induction into the prestigious United States Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
“It was extremely humbling,” said Cummings-Danson. “I have been fortunate to have had great coaches and great teammates; there are so many teammates that should have been standing there with me.”
Despite being modest about her achievements, Cummings-Danson isn’t at all shy in discussing the importance of teamwork and strong work ethic throughout her career.
“My work ethic was what set me apart as a player,” she said. “I outworked my opponents by taking thousands of shots before and after practice and training on my own.”
Cummings-Danson began playing lacrosse at the age of eight in her hometown of Huntsville, Ontario. She was forced to play “box lacrosse,” a version of indoor lacrosse similar to ice hockey, on a boys’ team until a girls’ field team was available several years later.
She immediately excelled in the sport and began playing on a women’s team in Toronto at the age of 15; a two hour drive each way from her hometown. It was there that she tried out for the Canadian National Team and began her international playing career.
Following a successful career at Temple and later with the United States national team, Cummings-Danson coached lacrosse at Temple, Connecticut College, and the University at Albany before landing at Skidmore College in 2005.
In her professional career as an administrator, she has pulled from previous athletic experiences and is currently working to translate that into continued success for Skidmore College Athletics.
“I enjoyed serving as captain [as a player] and am comfortable now in this role as Athletics Director,” said Cummings-Danson. “Working at Skidmore is no different than being on a team; I am surrounded by great people in the department and on campus. Great people make things happen and we are well on our way.”
The accolades and achievements of Cummings-Danson’s career are nothing short of astounding.
In addition to her recent nomination, she is a member of the Temple University Athletics Hall of Fame and was the first female inductee into the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1999.
The success Cummings-Danson has achieved is something she hopes will help younger females in striving for their goals in life, no matter how improbable they may seem.
“Being a role model is something I take seriously,” she said. “I have an opportunity to help female athletes and other women who want to get into business through the door.”
Speaking with Cummings-Danson, there is rarely a mention of the overwhelming success she has achieved in the sport of lacrosse. Without fail, she remains focused on current tasks at hand, which for now includes heading the Skidmore College Athletic department.
“I won’t have completed the job until we are the best we can be,” said Cummings-Danson, once again demonstrating the determination and strong work ethic she has continually used throughout her career.
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