Kirby Szalkowski joined the Susquehanna University field hockey coaching staff in March 2021. Szalkowski is a former NCAA Division I scholarship athlete who brought an extensive club and high school coaching background to the mix. She primarily works with the midfielders and goalkeepers.
Over the last three seasons the River Hawks have combined for 46 wins, including a program-best 16 victories in 2021. In 2023 Susquehanna captured its second Landmark Conference title and first since 2018, hosting and defeating Scranton in a shootout after a 1-1 draw. The River Hawks finished the season second in the conference with a 15-6 record (8-1 Landmark) and a NCAA First Round Tournament matchup at William Smith.
The Dallas, Pa., native arrived at Susquehanna following two seasons as an assistant coach at her high school alma mater, Dallas High School, where she was a Second Team All-State field hockey player back in 2011. Prior to returning to her alma mater, she was an assistant coach at Holy Redeemer High School in Wilkes-Barre (2018-19) and the head junior high coach in the Wyoming Area School District (2016-17).
Szalkowski is currently a coach with the Majestyx Field Hockey Club in northeastern Pennsylvania, managing team and individual skill development for U12-U19. She coached with Electric Surge Field Hockey Club (2017-2019) as well and served as a private field hockey coach for five years at the MVP Sports Academy. Additionally, Szalkowski was selected to coach at the Citi Field Hockey ProCamp in September of 2017.
She earned her Level 1 Instructional Clinic Certification from USA Field Hockey in February 2018.
Szalkowski was a three-year starter in center midfield for the Lafayette College field hockey program in Easton. The Leopards posted a .513 win percentage during her four years on the squad, winning the 2012 Patriot League Championship as a freshman and advancing to the first round of the NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship Tournament that same year.
She finished her Lafayette career with 14 assists, one goal, and one defensive save in 68 games played with 54 starts. Szalkowski was a two-year member of the USA Women’s National Indoor Field Hockey Team (2011-13), being selected as one of the youngest players in 2011 when she was a senior in high school.
She was named to the Academic Honor Roll at Lafayette six times. Earned her Bachelor's in psychology with a minor in art from Lafayette College (2016).
Updated: March 14, 2024
