Women's Soccer | July 13, 2018

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan University Division of Intercollegiate Athletics and Director of Athletics Kathy Beauregard have announced the hiring of Sarah Stanczyk to the position of head women's soccer coach. Stanczyk officially starts at Western Michigan on Monday, July 16, 2018.

Stanczyk becomes the sixth coach in the program's history since it was founded in 1996. She takes the place of Lauren Sinacola who recently stepped down at WMU to accept a position at Notre Dame.

"We are excited to have Sarah as the new leader of our Bronco women's soccer program," WMU Athletic Director Kathy Beauregard said. "Sarah is an energetic coach and we are confident in her ability to continue and grow the athletic and academic success of our program. We welcome her to the Bronco Family."

"I want to thank Kathy Beauregard and Jeff Stone for this incredible opportunity," Stanczyk said. "Western Michigan has tremendous academic and athletic traditions and I could not be more excited to be apart of it. I am very excited to lead and grow the women's soccer program as we strive for excellence on and off the field.

"I want to thank DePaul, especially my head and associate head coaches, Erin Chastain and Michele O'Brien. I would not be the coach and person I am today without their continued support and mentoring, I wish them and the team great success this season."

Stanczyk joins the Broncos after spending four seasons as an assistant coach of the women's program at DePaul, helping the Blue Demons to a Big East Conference Championships in 2014 and 2016. During the 2014 campaign, which included a Big East Tournament Championship, the team set a program record with a 16-1-4 record and the staff was named the Big East Coaching Staff of the Year.

Stanczyk was in charge of the defense at DePaul, where she helped improve the team's goals against average from 67th in 2014 to 16th in 2015. The team set a new program shutout record in 2015 and 13 defenders trained by Stanczyk have been recognized with All-Big East honors, while four were named National Soccer Coaches Association of America Northeast All-Region. Three have gone on to play in the National Women's Soccer League, including Sarah Gordon, DePaul's first ever selection in the NWSL College Draft. Stanczyk was also responsible for DePaul's team outreach and volunteer projects.

Stanczyk, a native of Grosse Pointe, played the 2009 and 2010 seasons at Michigan after beginning her collegiate playing career at Connecticut. Primarily a defender, she played in 37 matches (35 starts) during her two years, scoring one goal and tallying an assist. She was an Academic All-Big Ten selection in 2010, and two-time recipient of the U-M Athletic Academic Achievement Award.

After graduating from Michigan with a degree in brain behavior and cognitive science, she spent two seasons as a volunteer assistant at Michigan and helped the Wolverines to a 34-9-4 record, with trips to the NCAA Quarterfinals and Sweet 16. Stanczyk also went on to receive a master's degree in exercise physiology/sports psychology from Eastern Michigan University.