While most people who go on to play collegiate or professional lacrosse start at a young age, Marist women’s lacrosse assistant coach Skylar McArthur’s introduction to lacrosse was unconventional. In a career that led her to play both NCAA Division I lacrosse and with Lacrosse Canada before shifting to coaching, her introduction did not come on the field in the suburbs of Toronto, but rather at an ice hockey rink in Europe.
The Peterborough, Ontario, native had a unique childhood. Her father played professional hockey and spent time with the New York Islanders organization. After his stint there, the McArthur’s moved to Europe and spent part of Skylar’s childhood traveling across the continent, including a stop in Germany. It was there that she was introduced to the sport that would define her life.
“While we were living in Germany, there was a player, a teammate of my dad’s. His name was Brad Self, and he played professional hockey, and then he also played lacrosse,” McArthur said. “He actually taught me and introduced me to the sport of lacrosse and that’s why I’m number 18, because of him.”
Despite this introduction, she did not begin playing the sport as a midfielder until her return to Canada in 2011. Fittingly, lacrosse and ice hockey are Canada’s national sports, and like many kids in the country, McArthur grew up with both a hockey and lacrosse stick in hand.
“I fell in love with [lacrosse], and I’ve never stopped since,” she said.
Starting later than most players did not hinder her growth, as she quickly moved up the ranks, playing with Team Ontario. This gave her exposure to the highest level of college coaches, which eventually led her to the United States and to NCAA Division I lacrosse. She spent five years in the MAAC at Canisius University. During her time as an undergraduate student-athlete, McArthur majored in health and wellness with minors in psychology and strength and conditioning. Canisus was the right fit from the very start.
“I had my eyes set on playing in the NCAA and when Canisius had an opportunity for me under Coach [Scott] Teeter, who is also the Canadian national head coach, I came and visited Canisius, and it was a no-brainer,” she said. “I fell in love with it right away, and I knew I was there to spend all four years there.”
She ended up playing five years, taking advantage of a fifth year granted by a COVID-19 eligibility waiver. She also became part of a pipeline of Canadian athletes for the Golden Griffins that later included her younger sister, Taylor. Between 2018 and 2023, she was a two-time selection to the All-MAAC First Team in 2022 and 2023, and a team captain during her final two seasons at Canisius.
Her success at Canisius and her connections to Coach Teeter and Coach Allison Daley, now coaches at the University of Louisville, opened the door to an even bigger opportunity: the chance to play lacrosse while representing Canada. She made her international debut at the U19 World Championships in her hometown of Peterborough after trying out for the team in 2018.
“I was able to play in front of a lot of friends and family on the world stage. It sends chills through my body thinking about it,” said McArthur. “Putting on the jersey and hearing the national anthem… is definitely special.”
Since then, McArthur has been a consistent presence with Lacrosse Canada, both as a player and a coach. She competed in the Super Sixes for Canada in 2022, 2023 and 2024, winning a silver medal in 2023. One of her most memorable moments as part of the Super Sixes came during pool play at the 2023 event in Oshawa, Ontario, where Canada defeated the United States 14-10.
She continued her climb through the ranks, hoping to earn a spot on the senior national team, which will compete in Tokyo this summer. Her major goal is to ultimately represent Canada in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where lacrosse will be featured for the first time in over a century via the Super Sixes format. In addition to competing for Canada as a player, McArthur serves as a coach for Canada’s U19 Development Team.
“I’ve been so, so very fortunate. It’s something that I take great pride in any time you get to represent your country,” said McArthur.
After her fifth year at Canisius, McArthur transitioned into her current role as an assistant coach, spending the 2024 season at High Point University before joining Marist’s staff under head coach Keith Detelj. McArthur’s move to Poughkeepsie marked a return to the very conference with which she competed as a student athlete.
“I almost felt like jokingly I was cheating on Canisius [by coming to Marist],” McArthur admitted. “But it’s something that I wouldn’t have passed up.”
For Detelj, McArthur immediately stood out during the hiring process for his assistant coaches.
“She came highly recommended from many coaches that I have a tremendous respect for… her experience as a player was of interest, along with her ties with the Canadian National Team. I was excited about her passion, drive, and discipline for the game,” Detelj said in a written response.
Since arriving on staff, McArthur has become instrumental to the program, something Detelj views as a positive.
“What makes her unique is that she elevates everything that comes in contact with her,” said Detelj.
Through her journey playing Division I lacrosse and representing her country in the sport, McArthur has taken away valuable life lessons that she draws upon as a coach and tries to instill in her players.
“Every day is such a privilege when you get to play the sport that you love. So one thing I would definitely say is don’t take anything for granted,” she said.
At Marist, those lessons help motivate the team as they work toward their ultimate goal each year: a MAAC championship.
For a journey that started at an ice rink in Germany, Skylar McArthur’s lacrosse career may have started later than most. Her career is also far from over, with her goals of making the senior team and the 2028 Olympic Games still on the horizon.
Edited by Hayden Shapiro and Max Rosen
Photo from Marist Athletics
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