GLENSIDE - The Arcadia University Department of Athletics and Recreation has announced the hiring of Sarah Birchmeier as the new Head Softball Coach. Birchmeier will begin her duties at Arcadia on July 10th.

"I am extremely excited and honored to become a Knight and to come back home to the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC)," Birchmeier said. "I want to extend my sincerest gratitude to Brian Granata, Brett Mariani, Erin Livingston, Danielle Duffy, the entire search committee, and the Arcadia softball team for all of the time, energy, and effort put into granting me this opportunity."

Birchmeier comes to Arcadia after most recently serving as the Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Denison University for the last three seasons. In that role, Birchmeier coordinated the national recruitment of prospective student-athletes, assisted with the coaching and management of the program, planned and managed daily pitching and catching workouts, and other assigned duties. While at Denison, Birchmeier also served as an administrative game manager, on the Athletic Facilities Signage Committee, and as an On-Call Housing Administrator.

"We are incredibly pleased to welcome Coach Birchmeier to the Arcadia Athletics community," Executive Director of Athletics Brian Granata said. "Throughout the entirety of our search process, she demonstrated a high level of professionalism, thoroughness, authenticity, and preparedness that we feel will serve our program well. Coach Birchmeier is deeply committed to the principles of Division III and supporting her student-athletes. Her knowledge of and appreciation for the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) can't be understated."

Previous to her time with Denison, Birchmeier served as the Interim Head Coach at Eastern University during the 2019 season, and was a Graduate Assistant with the Eagles for two years. 

"It has been a dream of mine to coach in the conference that helped shape me into the person and coach I am today and I am so thankful that that dream has come to fruition," Birchmeier continued. "The outstanding academic and athletic resources and opportunities provided by Arcadia University will allow me to continue building on the success of the softball program and foster an environment where our student-athletes can excel. I can't wait to get to work and build on the previous successes of this program."

Birchmeier graduated from Wilkes University in 2018 with a degree in Spanish and Secondary Education. A four-year member of the Colonels program, Birchmeier earned Second Team All-MAC Freedom recognition during her junior and senior seasons. Birchmeier earned a Master of Education degree from Eastern in 2020.