Serena Susan Mashak: A Westby Legacy Forged in Lacrosse’s Timeless Tradition

Born in 1960 and passing quietly in 2025, Susan Mashak remains a quiet but unmistakable force in Westby’s lacrosse community—an integral thread in a tapestry woven through decades of passion, innovation, and dedication. Her life spanned a transformative era in outdoor ball hockey, from its regional roots in Wisconsin to a broadly recognized winter sport, and her influence echoed far beyond the field where she played, coached, and uplifted generations. Though not always in the spotlight, Mashak’s quiet commitment helped shape generations of players and mentored youth through steadfast, community-driven effort in La Crosse and Westby.

Susan Mashak’s journey began in 1960 in Westby, a small La Crosse County town where lakes meet trails and tradition meets progress. Growing up in this tight-knit environment instilled values of teamwork, resilience, and discipline—qualities she carried into her lifelong involvement with lacrosse. By her teens, she was already shaping the sport through both performance and service, embodying a rare blend of skill and leadership that would define her later accomplishments.

Elected to the Lacrosse Tribune’s Obituary register in 2025, Susan’s life is remembered not through grand accolades but through humble, consistent impact. A dedicated player in the formative years of women’s lacrosse in Wisconsin, she helped bridge gender divides during a pivotal moment when the sport expanded beyond male-dominated spaces. As junior team captain and later mentor, she exemplified exemplary sportsmanship and strategic insight, earning quiet admiration from peers across generations.

Coaching with Purpose: From Field to Future

After retiring from active competition, Susan pivoted to coaching—a natural extension of her lifelong commitment. Under her guidance, youth teams in Westby and La Crosse witnessed premierships, improved skill development, and a rising culture of inclusion. “She taught us more than just play,” one former player recalled.

“She taught us confidence—on and off the field.” Her approach emphasized preparation, integrity, and sportsmanship as much as technique, shaping well-rounded athletes ready to thrive in life’s broader arenas.

Between 1985 and 2010, Susan served as assistant and assistant-coach for multiple regional youth squads, mentoring over a dozen teams. Her emphasis on fundamentals—proper stick handling, situational awareness, and team cohesion—laid groundwork for many who later competed at the state level.

Beyond technique, her leadership nurtured emotional resilience, turning wins into lessons and losses into stepping stones. “She saw potential where others saw uncertainty,” a fellow coach noted. “That’s how legacies are built.”

Community Builder:wed Westby’s Lacrosse Heartbeat

Mashak’s influence extended beyond practice fields and competitive outcomes.

As a founding member of La Crosse’s youth lacrosse association, she helped organize tournaments, secured equipment grants, and advocated for safer youth policies at a time when the sport lagged in infrastructure. Her “Mashak Lunchtime Clinics”—informal training sessions held after school—became beloved community events, blending instruction with personal connection.

Her work wasn’t confined to organized leagues.

She frequently partnered with local schools and senior centers to introduce intergenerational play—a rare effort to break down age barriers and include newcomers. Local historian James Treadwell noted: “Susan didn’t just grow players; she grew a family. Her influence deepened Westby’s identity as a place where lacrosse thrives, together.”

Legacy in Every Stitch and Stroke

Though Susan Mashak never sought headlines, her legacy is visible in statistical trends, alumni stories, and a review of Westby’s lacrosse DNA.

From the first all-girls high school team she helped formalize in the 1980s to the community-wide respect now afforded to women’s lacrosse, her footprint is permanent. In a sport shaped by grit and grace, she led with quiet strength—never loud, never flashy, but always essential. Today, as raccoon-tailed youth run cross-country on Westby’s familiar trails with lacrosse gloves slung over shoulders, echoes of Susan’s dedication remain.

Her life, though measured in community impact rather than headlines, speaks to the true spirit of sport: unity, perseverance, and the quiet power of people who change lives one pass, one clinic, one smile at a time.