At the end of the 2024 girls lacrosse season, Coach Becky Luzier retired after 15 years of coaching the Lady Hawks. In the 2024 season, the Hawks went 7-9. This year, new head Coach Jackie Rutkowski and the Hawks are looking to improve.
For starters, Rutkowski has played lacrosse for eight years and coached for 17 years.
Rutkowski went to high school in Upper St. Clair then went to IUP where she continued her lacrosse career. After graduating from IUP in 2007, she went to Ohio University and graduated in 2009. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in health and physical education and master’s degree in sports science and coaching education.
Before coming to Bethel Park in 2022, she coached at Fort Couch Middle School in Upper St. Clair, Ohio University, Albion College, IUP, Hartwick College and Club Intrepid.
When asked what are your expectations this season, she said: “To out-perform conference teams. And to spread the wealth in terms of utilizing multiple players to score points, cause turnovers, and win draw controls.”
“My coaching philosophy is an autonomous style in which I believe in facilitating and developing growth in every individual player, while also setting specific goals that are tangible and obtainable. This is coupled with a holistic approach in which I believe in coaching the mind, body, and spirit to create the ultimate balanced athlete,” said Rutkowski. “I plan to implement this philosophy with the team throughout our training and practices by goal setting, journaling, and by developing performance-based training where they will receive immediate feedback and can compare their previous scores to see their growth.”
When asked what is she looking forward to about the season, Coach Rutkowski said: “Being on a team that shares a unified vision. One in which we’ve all bought into the mentality that we all have a different, yet important, job to do and will support each other to make our own goals. I’m looking forward to seeing returners develop more confidence and impacting games at more pivotal moments. And mostly I’m looking forward to being back on the sideline with this fantastic and energetic group of young women.”
