Kotowicz Named Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach

Director of Athletics Paul Schlickmann has announced the hiring of Tanya Kotowicz as Central Connecticut's new head women's lacrosse coach.

"I am grateful for the opportunity Director of Athletics Paul Schlickmann and Associate Athletics Director Amy Strickland have given me and I feel fortunate to join the Central Connecticut family," Kotowicz said.  "I am excited to work with the student-athletes and build on the foundation that exists at Central as we chase the top of the Northeast Conference.  With the support of the athletic department, a strong coaching staff, and those that continue to believe in me, I am looking forward to working hard as part of a program that values character-building and competitive success."

"I am very excited to introduce Tanya Kotowicz as the next head coach of our women's lacrosse program.  Tanya brings a wealth of successful Division I experience as a student-athlete and coach at highly regarded institutions with competitive programs.   She is clearly passionate about coaching and the sport of women's lacrosse and impressed me immediately as someone who will serve as a positive role model, educator and mentor to our student-athletes," Schlickmann said.  "I believe Tanya has the skill set and motivation to continue the upward trajectory of our women's lacrosse program as a perennial contender for the Northeast Conference Championship."

Kotowicz just completed her second season as an assistant coach at Yale, where she helped the Bulldogs to their highest win total since 2008 while coordinating the best scoring defense in the Ivy League.  The Bulldogs were ranked 13th nationally in scoring defense last season.

Prior to Yale, Kotowicz was an assistant coach at Hofstra for four seasons, helping the Pride to a pair of Colonial Athletic Association Tournament appearances.  Hofstra was ranked in the top-20 nationally during a pair of seasons (2010, 2011) while Kotowicz was on the coaching staff.  Hofstra also posted the top grade point average among women's lacrosse programs for the 2009-10 academic year.  In 2009, she founded and directed the Nick Colleluori Women's Lacrosse Classic, raising more than $140,000 in three years for blood cancer research through the HEADstrong Foundation.

In addition, two Pride student-athletes reached the US National Team during her tenure at Hofstra.

In 2008, Kotowicz served as the head women's lacrosse coach at Marist College.  That season she led the Red Foxes to their first ever Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship and first NCAA Tournament play-in game appearance.

Kotowicz also served stints as an assistant coach at Saint Mary's College (2007-08) and Marist (2005-06).

A graduate of the University of Connecticut, Kotowicz was a five-year member of the women's lacrosse program.  She was a two-time team captain and helped the Huskies to an ECAC Championship in 2005 and a top-15 national ranking.  She also earned Big East Scholar-Athlete (2002-05) and Big East Academic All-Star (2000-05) honors during her career.  She was also the recipient of the Sam Witryol Award, presented to a UConn player who consistently makes a positive contribution to the team and understands the spirit of the game.

Kotowicz also brings years of experience spreading the game in the United States and internationally as a player and coach.  Most recently, she served as an alternate for the German National Team in the 2013 FIL World Cup.

Kotowicz earned a B.A. in human development and family studies from the University of Connecticut and a M.S. in physical education from Hofstra University.  She is a native of Hicksville, NY.