Mackenzie Bardol knew something was wrong when her phone rang.
More than 100 Mercyhurst University football players just landed at an airport in South Dakota. Hungry and tired, they were ready to escape their charter plane.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOne problem – their buses hadn’t shown up.
Bardol, already on the ground, paused her Sam’s Club trip and called the two drivers who were scheduled to transport Mercyhurst via 56-seat buses.
One was on his way. One hadn’t shown up for work.
As Mercyhurst’s director of football operations, Bardol has grown used to solving similar problems.
A new driver eventually came. Bardol and Mercyhurst equipment manager Louisa Miguez resumed their Sam’s Club snack run in preparation for the Lakers’ game against South Dakota State.
Business returned to normal.
Chaos proves commonplace for Bardol and company. She’s one of numerous women behind the Lakers’ transition to Division I football.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThough not on the field, their roles have keyed instant D-I success at Hurst. And they’re having a blast doing it.
“From medical to compliance, communications, equipment and coaching, there’s a woman in every one of those positions,” said Andy Simon-Wambach, an associate director of athletics at Hurst. “They make us look good.”
More: Is Mercyhurst football a Northeast Conference contender?
Notre Dame connection
Bardol came to Mercyhurst from the University of Notre Dame. That’s where she first met defensive line coach Kalleigh Burke.
Burke and Bardol, both short in stature, hardly stand out amongst a sideline of oversized football players. But don’t underestimate their importance.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“I knew coming from Notre Dame what needed to happen, but I had never done it by myself before,” Bardol said. “That was a huge learning experience. Something that would have never crossed my mind is bus parking.”
Hurst visited Howard in 2023. The Lakers’ hotel didn’t accommodate bus parking.
Mackenzie Bardol, Mercyhurst University director of football operations, works during a football game against Robert Morris University in Erie on Nov. 15, 2025.Bardol, in the middle of Washington, D.C., found a solution. Thus is life as director of football operations.
“Everything runs through (Bardol),” said Joe Spano, Hurst’s director of athletics. “Missed class time, travel itineraries, every meal and where people are sitting on the plane. She basically keeps the program running.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement'Big, bold move:' Erie's Mercyhurst University to become Division I school, join Northeast Conference
Hurst flew West three consecutive weeks in September. Bardol booked flights, hotels and more months prior but, as proved in South Dakota, anything can happen when transporting 150 people more than 1,000 miles.
Bardol and Miguez typically travel three days before road games. This ensures time to buy snacks and drinks, prepare meal spaces, meet with hotel staff and more.
“(Bardol and Burke) have become like partners in crime,” said Miguez, a Hurst alumna who previously spent several years working with men’s basketball. “We can mess around and have a good time while making sure everything is done correctly. A lot of stuff, you can’t make up, and sometimes you find yourself at Target an hour before kickoff buying 100 towels.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNo towels to shower. That happened during an October trip to Wagner.
“I would not have been able to do this season without (Miguez),” Bardol said. “Let me tell you – it is a lot harder than you think to push and pull pallets with 25 cases of water on one and 24 cases of Gatorade on the other.”
Mackenzie Bardol greets parents of seniors prior to a football game against Robert Morris University in Erie.Legends on campus
Head football coach Ryan Riemedio hired Burke directly out of college. She’s become a cornerstone of his staff.
Spano called Burke a “legend on campus.” She’s brought perspective from mentors such as Mike Elston, a former Notre Dame assistant now with the Los Angeles Chargers, and Irish defensive line coach Al Washington.
Mercyhurst University defensive line coach Kalleigh Burke works during a football game against Robert Morris University in Erie on Nov. 15.“Ninety percent of what you’re teaching is all technique and fundamentals,” Burke said. “You spend a lot of time making sure guys are playing behind their hands, using their feet and stuff like that.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBig personalities define Burke’s defensive line room. But she’s received their respect since day one.
“I just love being out at practice,” Burke said. “Our job as coaches is to win football games and make sure these guys graduate but, day-to-day, I want to make sure these guys are having the best experience possible.”
Burke is busiest during game day. Others ensure the team gets there.
This includes Stacey Gaudette, Hurst’s associate director of athletics who serves as direct sports administrator for the football program. She handles its compliance with NCAA rules and regulations, an overwhelming task amidst the university’s D-I transition.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAngelique Graham is the team’s go-to athletic trainer. Emily Blount, as director of athletic communications, leads media relations and social content.
Mercyhurst University equipment manager Louisa Miguez talks with junior OL Titus Yepez prior to a football game against Robert Morris University.The list continues.
“I watched (Miguez) drive a box truck in reverse for the length of a football field with a foot to spare on each side,” Spano said. “They step up to everything. The program wouldn’t be what it is without them.”
Home opener: Mercyhurst University football impresses in conference opener: What we learned
Instant success
Hurst opened its 2025 football season Aug. 28.
Bardol had hotels booked by March. Come January, she’ll start bugging Simon-Wambach for next year’s schedule.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“It’s having the phone numbers and the contacts; establishing those relationships,” Bardol said. “I’m terrible with names and faces, but I can tell you every single kid’s name on the team. That’s super cool to me that everyone knows you and you know everyone.”
Leaving Notre Dame for Hurst proved an adjustment. But an ongoing transition to D-I athletics required adjustment for all.
Football has enjoyed on-field success. The Lakers finished 4-7 in their first D-I season, and started this year 4-6, including three cross-country trips to nationally ranked programs.
2025 preview: How will Mercyhurst University football fare in second Division I season?
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMore work is required before the Lakers become NCAA playoff eligible in 2028. But, as Hurst settles into its new Northeast Conference home, thanks are in order for the women who make things go.
“If this is something you love, just go for it,” Burke said. “It’s going to be uncomfortable at times. Don’t not do something because you’ve never seen it done before. You might get sent halfway across the country, but don’t be afraid to put the work in.”
Contact Jeff Uveino at [email protected]. Follow him on X @realjuveino.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Mercyhurst football thrives in Division I with women coaches, staff
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