CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Austin Peay State University Athletic Director Gerald Harrison announced the hiring of Melissa Rausch as the state’s first women’s lacrosse coach on Tuesday, June 25th.
According to APSU Athletics, Rausch comes to Clarksville after spending the past five seasons at University of Colorado Springs (UCCS), where he served as an assistant coach from 2020-2021 and will take on the head coaching role in 2022.
Prior to his time at UCCS, Rausch held key roles in the athletic department at Nicholls University, including assistant athletic director, head women’s lacrosse coach and assistant men’s lacrosse coach.
Harrison said in a press release that this is a monumental day for Austin Peay, as Rausch’s hiring makes her the first Division I women’s lacrosse head coach at a Tennessee public university.
“Coach Rausch’s teams have been successful on and off the field and I have no doubt she will be a champion for the ‘Total Government Concept,'” said Harrison. “I can’t wait to watch Coach Rausch build Austin Peay women’s lacrosse into a championship-caliber program! What a great day for Government!”
Coach Corner
“I would like to thank Vice President and Director of Athletics Gerald Harrison and Chancellor Dr. Mike Licari for seeing the value of adding a women’s lacrosse program to Austin Peay, and of course, for believing in me to start this program,” Rausch said. “I would also like to thank Jordan Harmon, Manny Reinsch and the entire search committee, who not only believed in me, but shared their love and pride for Austin Peay, which made me unable to help but be excited about this opportunity.”
“The sport of lacrosse has afforded me so many opportunities, and I am honored to have the opportunity to continue to grow the sport and introduce it to the Austin Peay, Clarksville and Montgomery County communities. To not only be trusted to coach at Austin Peay, but also have the privilege of starting a Division I program is an honor and a dream come true.”
Adding to his comments, Rausch expressed his gratitude to the entire UCCS community, including Eric Gobiel, who offered Rausch his first collegiate coaching position, for their support over the years. He also said, “One of the big things about having the privilege of coaching at the collegiate level is being integrated into the community and continuing to grow the sport. I can’t wait to get to Clarksville and see where and how I can support the sport of lacrosse. Let’s go Pea!”
In her final season at Colorado Springs, Rausch led the Mountain Lions to a 7-9 record, including a 5-5 record in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). According to APSU Athletics, Rausch led the team to 22 wins in two seasons and three consecutive appearances in the RMAC Women’s Lacrosse Championship.
