TicketsJuly 30, 2012
CINCINNATI - First-year University of Cincinnati head lacrosse coach Gina Oliver completed her staff when she announced the addition of assistant coach Shannon Witzel today.
"Shannon is an amazing coach and a great addition to our UC staff," Oliver said. "She was a great athlete at Towson University and is one of the best players in their history. She has also had a major part in helping build LaSalle's program. Shannon is passionate about the game and one of the hardest-working coaches I know, and I am extremely excited to start this new journey with the UC program with Shannon by my side. Having known Shannon for years, I know she will bring a highly competitive attitude to our team and help take UC to the next level."
"I am honored and extremely grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Gina and to be coaching for a great program at UC," Witzel said. "I am thrilled to be a part of the Bearcats lacrosse family, and look forward to helping our student-athletes succeed on and off the field."
Witzel comes to UC after spending last season at LaSalle University, where she helped guide the Explorers to a 10-6 season, which broke the record for most wins in program history.
Prior to her arrival at LaSalle, Witzel took a break from coaching and spent two years as a development assistant at her alma mater of Towson University.
Witzel initially began her career at LaSalle in 2009 before returning to Towson for the 2010 and 2011 seasons.
Following her four-year career as a Tiger, Witzel began her coaching career as a volunteer assistant at Towson for the 2008 season. She worked primarily with the midfield and defenders and assisted in coaching the Tigers to a conference championship, a Top-20 national ranking and a first-round NCAA tournament appearance.
The 2007 Towson University graduate had a distinguished playing career before entering the coaching profession. As a player, Witzel was a three-time All-CAA honoree and a member of the IWLCA All-Mid Atlantic Region Second Team. During numerous points in her career, Witzel led the nation in goals per game and the CAA in total scoring.
She entered the record books at Towson, finishing with 208 career goals, tying her for most goals by a player in program history. She is fourth with 255 career points and her 71 goals as a sophomore ranks first on the single-season record list. To cap off what was an already impressive playing career, Witzel was named Towson University's Female Athlete of the Year following her senior campaign.
A native of Pottstown, Pa., Witzel attended Pottstown High School, the same high school as Oliver, and holds a Bachelor's degree from Towson in sports psychology.