ALTOONA, Pa. — Penn State Altoona Athletics announced on Friday, April 5, that Tom Koehle, the head coach of its NCAA Division III men’s golf program, had been named the head coach of the department’s new women’s golf team.
Penn State Altoona announced the addition of women’s golf to its NCAA Division III sport offerings last August. The team will begin intercollegiate play in the 2024-25 season.
“I am very excited to have Coach Koehle take on the new women’s golf program,” said Penn State Altoona Director of Athletics Brent Baird. “He has done an outstanding job with our men’s program, developing players and leading the team to multiple conference championships and NCAA appearances. I look forward to him developing the women’s program into a regional contender.”
Koehle has served as the head coach of Penn State Altoona’s men’s golf program for 18 years. During his tenure, the Lions have won eight Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference championships and made seven NCAA Division III postseason appearances. Koehle has been voted the AMCC Coach of the Year three times.
“I look forward to this next chapter of growth for Penn State Altoona, our golf program, and athletics department,” Koehle stated. “The groundwork is in place to attract quality student-athletes seeking a world-class education and excellent competitive opportunities.”
The 2024-25 season for women’s golf will be the first time since the mid-2000s that Penn State Altoona has fielded a full roster for the sport. While the department has sponsored several women’s golfers who competed as individuals at the NCAA level over the past decade, next season will mark the return of women’s golf as a full team sport for Penn State Altoona.
The women’s golf team’s 2024-25 schedule will be released this summer.