Siena Heights University Women's Lacrosse
Coach Alexa Matta

ADRIAN – Siena Heights University will begin a women’s lacrosse program in 2011 and named Cindy Hill as its first coach.

SHU Athletic Director Fred Smith said the decision to add women’s lacrosse completes a commitment that began with men’s lacrosse, which SHU added two years ago and played its first games last spring. Hill, who brings a wealth of experience as the girls varsity lacrosse coach at nearby Tecumseh High School, will begin her new duties with the Saints Sept. 1.

“We are pleased to hire someone of Coach Hill’s caliber of experience and success, said SHU Athletic Director Fred Smith. “Her past experience as a high school coach will help her build her program. She has done a tremendous job at Tecumseh High School and will be a great asset to our athletic program and to our university as a whole.”

“I welcomed the chance to start a college lacrosse program at Siena,” Hill said. “From a lacrosse standpoint, I was ready for a new adventure, and moving onto higher ground greatly interested me. The atmosphere of a caring, warm, student-centered university environment attracted me. I knew Siena would be a good fit for me.”

Hill spent the past nine years as a coach at Tecumseh, and is currently a member of the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s rules committee for girls lacrosse. She recently completed her Level 6 Master’s Elite Coaching Certification from the MHSAA and has instructed at numerous lacrosse camps and clinics. She is a 1982 Eastern Michigan University graduate, earning a bachelor of science degree in political science/public administration.

Siena Heights plans to begin its program in the spring 2011 and will look to compete in the Women’s Collegiate Lacrosse League, a college club league featuring more than 40 institutions from New York to Wisconsin. Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference members Aquinas, Davenport and Indiana Tech are also expected to start women’s lacrosse programs in the near future, Smith said.

“Michigan has great talent, but I want to investigate other areas also,” Hill said of her recruitment strategy, which also includes looking for student-athletes in states like Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Illinois. “I am looking for a community of committed, talented, well-rounded student-athletes with high moral character.”

The Saints are expected to play their home games on SHU’s new outdoor performance stadium, which broke ground July 13, 2010