Laurie Lokash

Slippery Rock University announced Thursday, Nov. 14, women’s volleyball coach Laurie Lokash is retiring after a 40-year coaching career. She became the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference’s all-time coaching wins leader (676) during her time at The Rock.

SRU spokesperson Ken Bach told the Butler Eagle on Thursday that Lokash had been on leave but could not specify for how long. During Lokash’s absence, Rock assistant coach Erin Street has been and will be in charge of the team the rest of the season.

The Rock’s regular season ends at home Saturday against Gannon.

SRU reached the PSAC Tournament 10 times during Lokash’s tenure. Her teams also qualified for eight NCAA tournaments.

Lokash earned a pair of PSAC Coach of the Year honors, along with guiding two American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Americans in Jennifer Howser (2003) and Anastasia Urbanick (2006), 47 all-region selections and 43 All-PSAC performers.

Lokash played collegiately at West Virginia and Penn State before accepting the SRU job after graduating college in 1984.