Liz Kittleman Named Columbia Women's Lacrosse Coach

Courtesy of Columbia Media Relations/Sports Information

NEW YORK -- Liz Kittleman has been named Columbia's head women's lacrosse coach, M. Dianne Murphy, Director, Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education announced today. As an assistant coach at The University of Pennsylvania, Kittleman helped the Quakers to four consecutive Ivy League Women's Lacrosse Championships and an appearance at the NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship game in 2008. 

Kittleman, an assistant at Penn for the last four years, worked with both Penn's offense and defense while helping them advance to the NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship semifinal round in 2007, NCAA final in 2008, and win four consecutive Ivy League titles during her tenure. 

"Liz is a wonderful leader and teacher, with all of the qualities and competencies we looked for in Columbia's next head coach of lacrosse," Murphy said. "She is a talented and energetic leader, with a wonderful knowledge of the game. We are thrilled to have her lead our program to the next level." 

Prior to coaching at Penn, Kittleman served as an assistant women's lacrosse coach at Haverford College in 2005 and 2006, and managed the United States Women's Elite Lacrosse Team from January 2006 to October 2007. Kittleman also served as an assistant women's lacrosse coach at Stanford University from 2001-2004, helping the Cardinal to their first top-20 ranking in school history. 

"I am so excited to serve as the next head women's lacrosse coach at Columbia University," Kittleman said. "I'm very grateful to Dr. [M. Dianne] Murphy for this outstanding opportunity. I look forward to the challenge of building an Ivy League Championship caliber team and am honored to lead a program at this world-renowned University." 

A four-year letterwinner (1994-98) in lacrosse at Union College in New York, Kittleman earned first-team UCAA honors as a senior. She also competed on the women's soccer team for four years, captaining the team in 1997 and 1998, and was a member of the women's ice hockey team in 1995. While at Union, Kittleman earned her bachelor's degree in art history.