Athletics

New Head Coaches Take the Field

Illinois Tech women's lacrosse coach Emily Wesoky and Illinois Tech men's soccer coach Marion McKenzie

Marlon McKenzie joined Illinois Tech as the head men’s soccer coach in June 2024.

McKenzie is familiar with Chicago sports; he spent the previous decade as a member of the University of Chicago soccer coaching staff, starting as a volunteer assistant coach and volunteer goalkeeping coach, and later being promoted to assistant women’s soccer coach, goalkeeping coach, and recruitment coordinator in 2018.

He’s also involved in local youth soccer leagues, including 13 years with Chicago’s Southside Fire Soccer Club, as both head coach and special programs coordinator.

Originally from Jamaica, McKenzie graduated with a secondary education degree from the Moneague College in St. Ann, Jamaica, in 2005. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Northeastern Illinois University in 2009. As a player, McKenzie played on several amateur and semi-professional clubs, as well as leading his team at Moneague College as a captain. McKenzie was also short-listed for the Jamaican Under-21 National Men’s Soccer Team.

Emily Wesoky became the third head coach in Illinois Tech women’s lacrosse program history in July 2024 after contributing to the Israel National Team’s impressive record in recent years.

Wesoky joined Illinois Tech after playing five years of NCAA Division I lacrosse, four years at Wagner College and one year at Rider University, where she earned her master’s degree in athletic leadership and sports psychology.

During her senior year at Wagner, Wesoky was second in points on the team, first on the team with assists, and in the top 10 in the Northeast Conference in assists. At Rider, Wesoky was a captain of the inaugural Division I women’s lacrosse program, where she helped build the culture from the ground up—on and off the field.

She also plays for the Israel National Team, where she competed in the 2022 World Championships and 2024 European Championships. She helped the Israeli team finish sixth in the world and second in Europe.

Wesoky has also coached with nationally known clubs, including True Lacrosse, 3D Lacrosse, and Ultimate Lacrosse. —Tad Vezner