LORETTO, Pa. – Saint Francis University director of athletics James Downer has announced the hiring of Beth Krysiak as the softball head coach. She will become the 13th head coach in program history.
 
"I'm extremely excited to welcome Beth to Saint Francis and look forward to the continued success she'll bring to the program," said Downer. "She owns a myriad of skills and attributes that will undoubtedly benefit the development and performance of our student-athletes. She is beyond capable of keeping the program operating at a championship level."
 
Krysiak joins Saint Francis after she spent four seasons at Columbia University, where she worked primarily with pitching. During her tenure, she coached 2023 All-Ivy Second Team selection pitcher Raquel Reyes and 2022 All-Ivy Honorable Mention pitcher Jordan Hill. Columbia totaled 11 All-Ivy selections during Krysiak's stint with the program.
 
"I am excited to be the next leader for Saint Francis Softball. I want to thank James Downer and Lisa Swope for this great opportunity," said Krysiak. "Saint Francis athletics is a competitive department, and I am ready to continue the tradition of being a family atmosphere that wins and bring great energy to the softball program." 

Prior to her time at Columbia, Krysiak spent the 2019 season at Carnegie Mellon as the pitching coach after a five-year stint at the University of Dallas as the head coach. During her tenure with Dallas, she brought the Crusaders on its deepest Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament run in program history in 2016. Dallas was a two-time 20-win program under Krysiak.

She began her coaching career in 2010 as a graduate assistant at Ottawa University and spent time as an assistant at Buena Vista University and Prairie View A&M before Dallas.
 
Krysiak earned her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Ottawa in 2012 and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science in 2010 from Centenary College of Louisiana. She was a five-year member of the softball team at Centenary.
 
"Saint Francis has motivated, hardworking student athletes, the support of an incredible university community, and the ability to consistently strive for greatness," said Krysiak. "Red Flash Softball Field is going to be an exciting place for years to come."
 
The softball program at Saint Francis has won five of the last six Northeast Conference Tournament and Regular Season titles. The team will return notable All-NEC selections Rachel Marsden, Savannah Nash, Brianna Sawyers, Grace Vesco, Olivia Ulam, Madelyn Wilson and Ashley Wruble for the 2023 season.
 
Krysiak will now look to complete the 2023 staff with the hiring of an assistant coach ahead of the fall season.
 
What They Are Saying About Beth Krysiak
Jenny Allard – Softball Head Coach at Pitt
"I am excited that Saint Francis has selected Beth as their new head coach. She is a respected colleague, a passionate coach and strong developer of student- athletes. I am excited to follow Saint Francis under her leadership."
 
Angela Churchill – Softball Head Coach at Seton Hall
"I'm really excited for Beth and this opportunity for her to lead the SFU softball program. She is an up-and-coming young coach who is driven and passionate about growing the next generation of young women. Her knowledge of the game and determination to succeed will lead the SFU program in the right direction. Not only is she a great coach but she's an even better person who lifts up anyone around her."