Oberlin, Ohio – Former Oberlin College assistant coach Nancy Boutilier will rejoin the staff as Co-Head Coach of Women's Lacrosse, Delta Lodge Director of Athletics Joe Karlgaard announced Thursday.

“We are very excited to bring Nancy Boutilier back to the athletics department,” Karlgaard said. “She has a wonderful rapport with students, is a highly skilled coach, and has worked with us before. This will be a great enhancement to our lacrosse program.”

Boutilier, who served as an assistant to current Head Coach Deb Ranieri from 2003-2005, will begin her duties alongside Ranieri and assistant coach Emily Fitzpatrick on January 1.

“I am delighted by this opportunity to work with Deb, Emily, and the players,” Boutilier said. “I look forward to doing my part to develop the talent that we have, to teach the skills that we need, and to inspire the teamwork that will lead to success.”

“I welcome the opportunity to coach again with Nancy,” Head Field Hockey and Women's Lacrosse Coach Deb Ranieri said. “She and I have discussed the possibility many times in the past few years, and now we have the chance to make it happen. I'm really excited to work with Nancy and (assistant coach) Emily Fitzpatrick to provide our lacrosse players with a great experience this spring.”

Boutilier's addition to the program also marks a new direction for both field hockey and women's lacrosse at Oberlin. Beginning with the 2010-11 academic year, each program will have a full-time head coach for the first time in Oberlin's history.

Ranieri, who has guided the field hockey program to a Sweet Sixteen NCAA appearance and two North Coast Athletic Conference titles since 2003, will take over the field hockey program on a permanent basis on July 1, 2010. A national search for a new head coach of women's lacrosse will commence this upcoming spring.

“Our field hockey and women's lacrosse programs will benefit greatly from having their own head coaches,” Karlgaard said. “The national trend of having one coach for both programs has virtually disappeared. We are thrilled to be able to provide a full-time head coach for each of these programs, and we think this reflects well upon Oberlin's long-standing commitment to gender equity.”

“This is a wonderful opportunity for women's sports at Oberlin,” Ranieri said. “The college has shown a continued commitment to athletics and gender equity that will benefit our students.”