Courtesy of Joe Coss, Post SID

WATERBURY, CT - Post University has added Women's Lacrosse to its competitive Division II sports program for the 2009-2010 school year. Jill Kowalik has been named head coach. When added to the new Men's and Women's Swimming teams announced in November, this will be Post's third new athletic program this year.

"Lacrosse tends to attract top-quality student athletes who take their studies seriously," said Post University President Dr. Kenneth Zirkle. "This is part of our overall plan to expand our intercollegiate offerings at Post, as we continue to build on the excellent athletic and academic performance of our student athletes."

Post University's Women's Lacrosse team will make its debut in the spring of 2010 and will compete in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference.  In 2009-2010, Post will offer eight women's sports and seven men's sports to student-athletes.

Jill Kowalik, former girl's lacrosse coach at Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford, will lead the startup program.

"Jill brings a solid Lacrosse background to the program with excellent ties to the Connecticut lacrosse landscape," said Post University Athletic Director Anthony Fallacaro. "As a new program, it is going to be important that we recruit within the state of Connecticut and the surrounding region. Jill's familiarity with the local high school programs and lacrosse camps will be an immediate asset for her recruiting efforts. I am confident she will make Post University a great option for high school prospects and build a competitive program we can all be proud of."

During her time at Northwest Catholic, Kowalik made steady improvements to the girl's lacrosse program. During the 2008 season, Kowalik guided her team to the semi-final game in the CIAC state tournament for Division II schools.  She was named the 2006 Division II Coach of the Year for the state. 

"I am very excited to coach Women's Lacrosse at Post and to be part of Post University's welcoming community and sound athletic program," stated Kowalik. "Lacrosse is an up and coming sport and I look forward to drawing athletes from all over.  It is really exciting to be able to start from scratch, teach the basics, and then grow to be a top competitive program, which I know is possible with the support I'll get at Post."