Mike Bedford
PRANA Athletics Director
Assistant Coach/ Offensive Coordinator/ Recruiting Coordinator Jacksonville University
Mike Bedford brings to Prana Athletics close to a decade of Division One Women’s Lacrosse experience. He has competed in the BIG Ten, Patriot League, ASUN, and Colonial Athletic Conferences, serving as an Assistant coach, offensive and defensive coordinator, and recruiting coordinator. Mike also served as the head coach of the Philadelphia Force in the United Women’s Lacrosse League for two seasons, coaching the team to the 2018 undefeated UWLX Championship.
Bedford’s currently is serving as the offensive coordinator at Jacksonville university while also working directly working with the JU Goalie contingent.
Bedford joins the women’s lacrosse program after serving one season as the at the University of Michigan operating primarily with the Wolverines goalie contingent as well as working on player development and assistance on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
Bedford arrived in Ann Arbor after spending a season as an assistant coach at Rutgers University where he was the defensive and recruiting coordinator for the Scarlet Knights. He was responsible for implementing all facets of the defensive strategy as well as goalkeeper training, practice planning and team development. During his time at Rutgers Bedford helped mentor a strong freshmen class and had three freshmen earn Big Ten Conference Rookie of the Week honors in the 2019 campaign.
Prior to his stint at Rutgers, Bedford spent one season as the defensive coordinator at Boston University where he helped the team to a 2018 Patriot League semifinal. Bedford was also an assistant coach at William & Mary from 2016-17. Working primarily with the Tribe's goalies, he guided the goal-keeping unit to lead the Colonial Athletic Association with a 9.18 saves per game average during the 2016 season.
Bedford spent three seasons as the defensive coordinator at Hofstra where the Pride was the 2015 CAA Regular Season Champions after going 6-0 in conference action and earned multiple CAA honors.
He spent one season at Lenoir Rhyne University as the defensive coach from 2012-13 where he also oversaw the goalkeepers and position players. Bedford earned his start in collegiate coaching at Suffolk County Community College where he spent two seasons as an undergrad, helping the team to a NJCAA National Champion Runner-Up finish in the 2006 campaign. Bedford was named team captain in his sophomore season, earning first team all-region as well as being named a Second Team NJCAA All-American.
Bedford went on to play two seasons at Long Island University Post, where he helped the team to the NCAA National Championship in 2009 and an East Conference Championship.
Bedford graduated with a Bachelor of Science in physical education and a minor in coaching from Long Island University Post in 2009.
Brooklyn Neuman
PRANA Athletics Field Director
Assistant Coach Jacksonville University
Brooklyn Neumen joined JU as an assistant coach for women's lacrosse in August 2023 after a standout five-year career as a midfielder for North Carolina, as well as multiple leadership roles in lacrosse at UNC and elsewhere.
The Rockford, Michigan native was named a Third Team Preseason All-American by USA Lacrosse Magazine and an Honorable Mention Preseason All-American by ILWomen prior to her final season in Chapel Hill. She played in 70 total games in her career, starting 21. Her best year was as a senior in 2022, when she totaled career-highs in points, with 11, and ground balls, with nine, while adding 18 draw controls, second-most in a single-season for her. She played in all 22 games and helped the Tar Heels capture a national championship, third in program history.
She competed on the 2019 U.S. Women's National Team at the World Lacrosse Women's U19 World Championship and won a gold medal.
Her coaching career started after her freshman year of college, when she served as a coach and player mentor for the Michigan Select team of high school girls lacrosse players over the summer. She carried on that role in the fall of 2020 in North Carolina, working with Team 91 Lacrosse Club, and since December of 2021 has held the same role with the Pure Advantage Lacrosse Club in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Neumen served on the Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) for three years at UNC, and additionally was a participant in the Leadership Academy and Community Liaison Member in Chapel Hill. Just this past spring, she received the Kellie Thompson Shiley Award, which is annually presented to the Tar Heel women's lacrosse player who exemplifies outstanding leadership, excels in the classroom and on the field and displays a love of the game. She was also presented with the Tar Heel Leader of Distinction honor.
In high school, she was a four-time state champion, three-time Under Armour All-American and the 2018 Grand Rapids Area Player of the Year.
Alexis Deaken
PRANA ATHLETICS FIELD DIRECTOR
GRADUATE ASSISTANT
JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY
Lauran Craft
PRANA ATHLETICS FIELD DIRECTOR
GRADUATE ASSISTANT
JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY