Austin Peay Tabs Melissa Rausch to Helm New Women's Program
June 25, 2024
Kenny DeJohn
Austin Peay has found its first-ever lacrosse coach.
Melissa Rausch will become the first Division I head women's lacrosse coach at a public university in the state of Tennessee, as announced by the university on Tuesday afternoon. She spent the past five seasons at the UC Colorado Springs, where she was the head coach since 2022.
Prior to UC Colorado Springs, Rausch began her collegiate coaching career at Nichols College, where she served as the assistant director of athletics, head women's lacrosse coach and assistant men's lacrosse coach. Rausch was the Girl's National Director for 3D Lacrosse before she entered the college space.
Austin Peay is expected to play its first varsity season in Spring 2026 after announcing the berth of the program in March.
Kenny DeJohn has been the Digital Content Editor at USA Lacrosse since 2019. First introduced to lacrosse in 2016 as a Newsday Sports reporter on Long Island (yes, ON Long Island), DeJohn specializes in women's game coverage. His search for New York quality pizza in Baltimore is ongoing.
