LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Shannon Witzel has been named the second head women's lacrosse coach in program history at Spalding University, Athletics Director Brian Clinard announced on Monday.

"We are very excited to have Shannon Witzel as the new leader of our women's lacrosse program," said Clinard. "Not often do you get to hire a coach with the amount of experience and depth of knowledge that Coach Witzel brings. Outside of her coaching credentials, we are excited about her as a person and a leader. She provides a great example for the young women in our program and we are proud to have her represent Spalding University and the city of Louisville."

Witzel, a native of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, previously served nine years as an assistant coach at the University of Cincinnati. She is currently an assistant coach at Eastern High School in Louisville.

"I am really excited to start a new chapter for Spalding women's lacrosse," said Witzel. "I would like to thank Athletics Director Brian Clinard and Associate Athletic Director Lisa Bash-DeFrees for the opportunity to lead this team and for believing in me for this position with the Golden Eagles. The players, staff, and university have been very welcoming and I cannot wait to get started!"

While Witzel was on the Cincinnati women's lacrosse staff, the team set multiple records. The Bearcats broke the team record for caused turnovers four years in a row over her time in Ohio. Cincinnati also set a program-best number of wins in 2019 with 12 victories. The Bearcats advanced to the American Athletic Conference Tournament championship game that season.

The goalie group Witzel coached impressed as they tied for second in school history with 171 saves, third in goals against average (12.63), and third in save percentage (44.2). She also worked with the UC offense, which included Courtney Curtis, a 2015 All-Big East Second Team honoree.

Prior to her time at Cincinnati, Witzel spent two years as an assistant coach at LaSalle. She also served on the athletics staff at her alma mater, Towson University.  

As a student-athlete, Witzel was a three-time All-CAA recipient at Towson. She was named IWLCA All-Mid-Atlantic Region twice and was named to the watch list for the women's lacrosse national player of the year award. Witzel was inducted into the Towson Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019. She earned her bachelor's degree in sports psychology at Towson and followed that up with a graduate degree in Health Education - Exercise Fitness at Cincinnati.

Coach Witzel started her duties with the program this week.