JMU lacrosse coach apologizes for public intoxication charge

The head coach of women's lacrosse at James Madison University, Shelley Klaes-Bawcombe, was cited for public swearing or intoxication early Saturday morning.

The misdemeanor charge comes just two weeks after Klaes-Bawcombe signed a 4-year contract extension with the school, following a historic 22-1 season capped by the program's first national championship.

She was named IWLCA Division I National Coach of the Year and ILWomen Division I Coach of the Year for the season and also voted Colonial Athletic Association Coach of the Year for the third straight season.

The 2018 season is her 13th in Harrisonburg.

In a statement issued to the school, she apologized to staff members at the school, saying, "I have communicated the issues concerning my actions this weekend and have extended my sincere regrets to Jeff Bourne, Charlie King and President Alger. I further would like to apologize to our student-athletes and everyone associated with the JMU lacrosse program. Even though I was celebrating a National Championship with friends, it is my responsibility to set the tone for our program, and I fell short of that responsibility with my behavior.”

In response to the incident, Jeff Bourne, the university's athletic director, said they're addressing the issue.

"We are aware of the incident this weekend involving lacrosse Head Coach Shelley Klaes-Bawcombe," said Bourne. "I've spoken with Shelley and we are addressing the issue. As with any personnel situation, we will not have any further public comment other than to say that any individual, employee or student-athlete, who represents the university and JMU Athletics will be held accountable to our standards of conduct."