WILKES-BARRE, PA (April 17, 2025) -- On Thursday afternoon, Associate Vice President and Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation Cheryl Ish announced the newest addition to the King's coaching staff as Kirby Szalkowski has been appointed as the next Head Field Hockey Coach.

"I am excited to announce the appointment of Kirby Szalkowski as the new head coach of the King's College field hockey program," stated Ish. "Throughout the interview process, it was clear that Kirby is deeply committed to enhancing the student-athlete experience—an essential quality we value at King's."

Szalkowski has spent the last four years as an assistant coach at Susquehanna University where she helped lead the River Hawks to two consecutive Landmark Conference Championships in 2023 and 2024 with two NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship appearances. In her time in Selinsgrove, Szalkowski helped coach a Division III All-American and multiple All-Landmark First and Second Team selections while being a part of a coaching staff that earned three Coaching Staff of the Year honors.

Beyond the traditional day-to-day duties, she also held a role as recruiting coordinator, managed team social media accounts, organized fundraisers, established a leadership committee, and facilitated team film sessions utilizing SPIIDEO.

"I am beyond excited to join the Monarch family and lead the field hockey program at King's College," said Szalkowski. "This is an incredible opportunity, and I can't wait to get started. The NEPA area has always been a hotbed for field hockey, and I'm ready to tap into that to elevate the level of competition within the program!"

No stranger to the Northeast Pennsylvania area, Szalkowski is a native of nearby Dallas, Pa. and served coaching stints at Dallas High School, Holy Redeemer High School, and Wyoming Area School District before heading to Susquehanna. She was also heavily involved in the local club scene as she has assisted with the Bison Field Hockey Club in Lewisburg and local programs BRAVE, Majestyx, and Electric Surge.

"Kirby brings a strong vision for elevating our program within the MAC, and her passion for building a competitive, student-centered team stood out among a highly qualified pool of candidates," added Ish. "Her deep local roots will undoubtedly strengthen our recruiting efforts and help us attract talented student-athletes from the region."

Szalkowski also had an impressive playing career as a 2016 graduate of Division I Lafayette College with a degree in psychology and a minor in art. In her career with the Leopards, she appeared in 68 games, making 54 starts as a midfielder, notching 14 assists over the course of three seasons. Szalkowski was a three-year member and graduate of the OAKS Leadership Academy and a four-time Academic Honor Roll recipient while at Lafayette.

Additionally, she competed for the USA Women's National Indoor Field Hockey Team from 2011 to 2013, was a USA High Performance Selection from 2014 to 2015, and a USA U21 National Camp attendee in 2014.

"What impressed us most was Kirby's genuine desire to foster meaningful relationships—not only with her players, but also with fellow coaches and members of the King's College community," Ish said. "With a solid foundation already in place, I am confident that Coach Szalkowski will lead the program into an exciting new chapter. We look forward to supporting her and celebrating the continued growth and success of King's field hockey."

Szalkowski has both her USAFH Level 2 Coaching Certification and USAFH Outdoor and Indoor Field Hockey Umpire Certifications and will begin her duties today, April 17.