March 16, 2015
Originally posted on University of Chicago Physical Education and Athletics, March 13
University of Chicago Athletics announced on Friday that Julianne Sitch has been hired to the position of Assistant Women's Soccer Coach. She will join the veteran staff of Head Coach Amy Reifert and Assistant Coach Bannon Stroud.
"We are excited to add Julianne to our coaching staff," Reifert said. "She brings tremendous experience on the field, having just retired from professional soccer after eight years at the national and international level. She has been successful at all levels and she will bring those valuable experiences to play in her coaching. Her passion for the game along with her dedication and desire to lead and coach will add greatly to our program."
The Maroons reached the postseason for the 14th time under Reifert's tutelage in 2014. UChicago advanced to the NCAA Round of 16 and finished with an overall record of 15-5-1.
A native of Oswego, Ill., Sitch was Illinois Gatorade Women's High School Soccer Player of the Year in 2002. She went on to compile record-setting numbers at DePaul University from 2002-05. Sitch broke the school's career records in points (90), goals (32) and assists (26). Her collegiate honors included Second Team NSCAA All-American (2003), Conference USA Player of the Year (2003) and First Team All-Big East (2005).
Sitch played for the Region II Olympic Development Program, the Under-19 U.S. National Team and the Under-21 U.S. National Team. She was part of the U-21 national team that won the Nordic Cup in 2004.
As a professional soccer player, Sitch was drafted by Sky Blue FC of the Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) in 2009. The team went on to win the National Championship in that inaugural season. Domestically, she played professionally for the Chicago Red Stars, Western New York Flash and Atlanta Beat. Sitch played on the international stage for Melbourne Victory in Australia, as well as Hammarby IF and Balinge IF in Sweden.
Sitch currently serves as head of athletic development for the Chicago City Soccer Club. In that role, she coaches the U-16 girls' team while also overseeing speed, agility, strength, conditioning and injury prevention for ages U-8 to U-18.