June 4, 2009

PHILADELPHIA – La Salle University Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Thomas Brennan has announced that Michelle Marks has been named head field hockey coach.

Marks spent one season on staff as an assistant for the Explorers in 2008 after positions as an assistant at Bucknell and at Washington & Jefferson.

“Michelle brought a solid body of experience to the job when she joined the staff as an assistant. Her strong relationship with the players and her active involvement in many of the facets of the program made her a very natural fit for the position,” said Brennan.

“I am very excited that La Salle has given me this opportunity to continue to work with these great student-athletes. I can not imagine a better place to start my head coaching career,” said Marks, a Syracuse University graduate (’03) who is a two time Mid-East Region All-American and two time All-Big East selection.

From 2003 until 2005 she was head coach of the United States Field Hockey Futures Championships team. Most recently she served as an assistant coach for the United States Field Hockey Association Futures site this spring in Philadelphia.

“This program has had constant growth in both the classroom and on the field, and I plan to continue that tradition. We have a very talented group of returning and incoming student athletes and with commitment and hard work there exists great potential for a successful upcoming season in a very competitive conference. I am up for the challenges that lie ahead," added Marks

As a student-athlete at Syracuse she was a Big East Academic All-Star, served as the team captain during her senior year and was a member of the 2001 Big East regular season and tournament champions that advanced to the Elite 8 of the NCAA Championships.

In 2000 she was an alternate for the Under-19 national team.

She is currently working on her Masters degree in education and played her high school field hockey at the powerhouse Warwick (PA) High School.

Marks succeeds Sarah Catlin who spent eight seasons on the sidelines for the Explorers. She will coach her first game when the Explorers open the 2009 season on August 28 at Monmouth.

TRANSACTION

LA SALLE UNIVERSITY – Promotes Michelle Marks from assistant field hockey coach to head coach