Athletics
Rachel Cibulas named as Muskingum's first women's lacrosse coach
Muskingum University has named Rachel Cibulas as its first-ever women's lacrosse head coach.
Cibulas arrives at Muskingum after a highly successful two-year stint as head women’s lacrosse coach at Adrian College in Adrian, Michigan. During her tenure at Adrian, Cibulas guided the Bulldogs to a 34-6 record, two league championships and two appearances in the NCAA Division III National Tournament.
“Muskingum is thrilled to have Rachel Cibulas as its first women’s lacrosse coach,” said Muskingum Athletic Director Larry Shank. “Rachel brings a wealth of lacrosse knowledge and a proven track record of success to the university. I’m looking forward to her building the program and competing on a national level.”
At Adrain, Cibulas coached 15 conference players of the week, 13 players honored with all-league accolades, five players who were named IWLCA All-Region and coached one All-American, Stacey Birlson, who was invited to play in the North-South All-Star game. Cibulas’ peers recognized her excellence on the sidelines by naming her the 2012 MWLC Coach of the Year.
"I’m very excited and thankful to be given the opportunity to start the women’s lacrosse program at Muskingum,” said Cibulas. “I’m looking forward to creating a culture and an environment that everybody can be proud of. Muskingum has a proud academic and athletic history, and that’s a great foundation to build a team.”
Prior to Adrian, Cibulas served as the head coach at NCAA Division II Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, N.C. She was in charge of all facets of the first-year program.
The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native coached a pair of teams in her hometown as assistant coach at Bethel Park High School in 2010 and as head coach of the Intrepid Girls Lacrosse Club from May 2009 to August 2010. While at Bethel Park, Cibulas helped the team to a four-win improvement, going 10-6 in 2010. The squad also made its first-ever WPIAL playoff appearance and Cibulas coached three all-sectional players.
Cibulas joined Slippery Rock University in June 2008 after leaving the Bulldog program. She was in charge of goalkeeping and defensive units for The Rock and coached two all-league student athletes.
Cibulas played collegiately at Robert Morris University (Pa.) and was a letterwinner for the Colonials for two years. She was named team captain for both the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons and was the first female player to sign a National Letter of Intent for the Colonial lacrosse program. Her grandfather, Joseph, played professional football for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
She graduated from Robert Morris University in May 2007 with a bachelor of science in business administration. She completed her master of science in sport management from Slippery Rock University in May 2010. She is also a registered athletic administrator through the N.I.A.A.A.
For the 2013-14 year, Muskingum will field a team that will compete at the junior varsity level, in preparation for the NCAA Division III competition the following year. The teams will play their home games on the ProGrass Turf on Sherman Field in McConagha Stadium.
