Spalding University Athletics

Shannon Witzel was named the second head women’s lacrosse coach in program history at Spalding University in May of 2023.

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

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, including 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.