Inseparable: The Scane & Coykendall Families
David Vick — May 6, 2024
“Izzy’s a little more accepting of hugs than Erin is,” Jennifer Coykendall, the mom of Northwestern star Erin Coykendall, said.
“And that’s not saying much,” Patricia Scane, mom of reigning Tewaaraton winner Izzy Scane, added.
The special bond that Izzy Scane and Erin Coykendall have on the field is no secret. For the last couple of years, No. 27 and No. 2 have entertained fans from the opening draw to the final horn each time they’ve taken the field.
But they are not the only ones with a close bond. Their families are extremely close as well.
It was at Northwestern’s 2014 winter lacrosse camp that Patricia, or “Trish” as Jennifer calls her, met Scott Coykendall, Jennifer’s husband. The following summer at Lake Placid, Trish and “Jen” met each other for the first time, and they bonded instantly.
Ever since then, the two lacrosse-centered families have been the closest of friends.
“I consider Joe and Trish to be our best friends,” Jennifer said of Patricia and her husband. “Every time we’re together with them, we just laugh all night long.”
Despite the Scane’s residing in Michigan and the Coykendall’s in New York, lacrosse trips would bring the two families together. With Michigan being a non-traditional lacrosse area, Izzy’s brother played on a club team in New York.
So each time the Scane family arrived in the Empire State for a lacrosse tournament, they were invited to stay over at the Coykendall’s house.
“We had so much fun. I mean, it was the highlight of our summer,” Jennifer said on spending the weekends together.
Knowing the importance of lacrosse for the two families, it only makes sense that the parents would join in on the action during these get-togethers.
“We had a lot of rough lacrosse games in the pool. Jennifer volunteered to be the goalie, and our kids would pelt her,” Patricia said with a laugh.
Once the parents needed a break, the lacrosse continued without them in the backyard.
“The boys would verse Erin and Isabelle, and they always lost,” Patricia said on her sons losing to what would become two of the best players in Northwestern history.
Hours and hours of lacrosse would be played and along with the girls winning, the youngest Scane, Cormac, would typically end up in tears. As it turns out, Izzy and Erin took no prisoners when they picked up a lacrosse stick.
“Those two were a mean crew together,” Izzy’s mom said when talking about the two girls.
If you ask defenses in the Big 10, Izzy and Erin are still a mean crew together. By the end of the 2024 season, they will have combined for more than 700 career points. And the numbers only represent one aspect of their amazing story.
Another defining part of their lacrosse story is the 2022 season.
Izzy was sidelined with an ACL injury, forcing her to miss the entire year. It was an incredibly challenging time for her, but she was not alone.
“Erin was there when things were really, really hard, and you want to give up,” Patricia said.
It was also in 2022 that Northwestern suffered a devastating defeat at the hands of North Carolina in the Final Four. Up by seven with 10 minutes to play, the Wildcats lost 15-14.
Erin was on the field that day, finishing with one goal and two assists. Heartbroken, she would not talk about the game for months but has since said it fueled what was to come in 2023.
After starting the 2023 season with a one-goal loss to Syracuse, the Wildcats went on a run that captivated the nation. Over the next 21 games, they won 21 times, including the NCAA National Championship.
“They worked their whole lives for that moment,” Jennifer said.
“They achieved the ultimate [goal],” Patricia added.
With an easy 18-6 win over Boston College, Izzy, Erin and the rest of their teammates hoisted the trophy, immortalizing themselves in Northwestern Lacrosse lure.
While the lacrosse achievements have been amazing, both Jennifer and Patricia speak glowingly about who their daughters are as people away from the game.
“She is one of the smartest people I know,” Jennifer said about her daughter. “I find myself going to her for advice all the time.”
Whether it’s building a gazebo in the backyard by herself or knowing how to get a raccoon out of the garage, Erin can do it all. Spoiler: the removal of the raccoon involved a lacrosse stick.
Erin’s mom described her as organized, clean, funny and someone who likes to have a plan. In fact, she is so clean that no one is allowed on her bed. Well, except for her pets.
“Even if you’ve taken a shower and washed your hair, you’re still not – you have to sit on the floor,” her mom said with a smile.
And despite being the biggest star in the college game today, Izzy remains humble, always offering perspective to her family.
“She’s a bigger person than I am,” Patricia said. “She’s a better person than I am.”
She described Izzy as compassionate, loyal, family-focused, funny with a dry sense of humor and organized. Earlier this year, Izzy sent her a color-coordinated schedule for the next three to four months. In it were both their schedules, so each knew when they would see each other.
Neither Izzy nor Erin set out to inspire the next generation. They simply wanted to play lacrosse. However, their greatness, perseverance and flare for spectacular plays have inspired so many.
Izzy, in her sixth year, and Erin, in her fifth year, have received accolades most players only dream of. But as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end.
Knowing the end is near, Patricia and Jennifer are preparing for this chapter of life to end.
“It’s going to be so hard not seeing those two on the field together,” Patricia said.
“It’s been such a huge part of all of our lives,” Jennifer said.
With the number of games left to be played winding down in the storied careers of No. 27 and No. 2, both parents could not be prouder of the impact their daughters have had on the game.
When it comes to Erin, watching her interact with young lacrosse players is Jennifer’s favorite part.
“To me, that’s what I love the most – when these little kids surround her after the games and say, ‘Erin, I’ve been practicing your moves. I’ve been practicing this behind the back or that fake BTB,” she said.
Because they attend every game, both Jennifer and Patricia have witnessed this impact firsthand, leaving them in awe.
“It’s like, I’m speechless. I don’t how she got to this point, how these girls got to this point. It’s a gift,” Patricia said after searching for the right words.
That gift is not taken for granted by either Izzy or Erin. They are both very conscious about the decisions they make and how they will be viewed by those who see them as role models.
The lacrosse and life stories of Izzy Scane, Erin Coykendall and each of their families will be forever connected. Best friends on and off the field, they all have experienced some of the best days of their lives together.
From Erin, a young third grader picking up a stick for the first time, to Izzy, starting lacrosse out of spite after quitting gymnastics, what a ride it has been for both women and their families.
Jennifer and Patricia will tell you that it has been such a joy watching their daughters do what they love at the highest level and achieve their dreams. But more than anything, Jennifer and Patricia are proud parents.
Lacrosse brought the two families together, and now they are lifelong friends. One of Izzy’s brothers is getting married this summer, and the Coykendall’s will be there.
There is no separating Izzy Scane & Erin Coykendall. And nothing will come between the love their families have for one another.