LAKEWOOD, NJ- Georgian Court University Director of Athletics and Recreation Laura B. Liesman announced today that Michael Murawski has been tabbed as the Lions’ head men's and women's track and field coach, completing the institution’s coaching staff as it commences coed athletics this coming fall.

Murawski, who will also serve as the institution's assistant men's and women's cross country coach, takes over a program that captured its first CTC indoor title last February, which they followed with a second straight CTC outdoor championship in April. Georgian Court completed the year with 12 NCAA Provisional Qualifiers, 16 All-Region performers and 22 CTC champions. The team finished the season ranked #3 in the NCAA East Region, an all time program high, while sending two student-athletes, Alyssa Hudgins (hammer throw) and Mary Sancilio (high jump) to the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships in Pueblo, Colorado last May.

"I am thrilled to commence 2013 by introducing Michael as our new head track and field coach and welcoming him to the GCU family,” said Liesman. “Our track & field program has matured into one of the elite Division II programs in the entire northeast. I expect Coach Murawski, with his energy, passion, and vast knowledge of the sport, to provide the guidance and tutelage that our women's program requires to remain a force in the east, while also utilizing the same attributes as he builds and prepares our inaugural men’s program for its initial competition this fall.”

Coach Murawski joins the Lions after serving as the head men's and women's track and field coach at West Chester University in West Chester, Pennsylvania where he developed two Honorable Mention All-Americans, 14 NCAA Division II Provisional Qualifiers, and 113 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) qualifiers.

“I am sincerely honored and grateful to take over the women’s track and field program and commence the men’s program here at Georgian Court University," stated Murawski. "I would like to personally thank Laura (Liesman) and the entire search committee for having the confidence and faith in me to continue a strong women’s program and begin a men’s program. We will be looking to continue the success the women’s program has had in such a short period of time, while mimicking the same results on the men’s side for the fall of 2013.  I promise to lead, coach, recruit, and teach in accordance to the university’s Mercy Core Values while achieving success in the classroom and on the track.”

 A former NCAA Division I multi-event track and field student-athlete and captain at Duquesne University, Michael went on to serve as the assistant track and field coach at his alma mater of Holy Cross High School in Delran, N.J. before beginning his tenure at West Chester.

Michael, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Rhetorical Studies from Duquesne and a Master of
Science in Sports Management from California University (PA), is a USATF Level II certified collegiate coach. 

The Lions compete in its first meet of 2013 on Friday, January 11 at the Gotham Cup in New York City.