West Chester University elevated five athletics department staffers on Thursday, Sept. 24, including four assistant coaches who now carry the title of associate head coach.

Director of Athletics Terry Beattie announced the promotions, which span women's lacrosse, women's basketball, men's basketball, field hockey and department operations. The moves come months after WCU claimed the PSAC's F. Eugene Dixon Trophy for the 2025-26 academic year, the program's sixth overall and first since 2018-19.

Sue Burmester, now associate head coach for women's lacrosse, has spent 24 seasons as defensive coordinator under head coach Ginny Martino. She has mentored 14 All-Americans on defense. The program has won 11 conference titles, reached 15 NCAA Tournaments and captured the 2008 Division II national championship during her tenure.

Allison Hostetter, a 2012 WCU graduate, becomes associate head coach for women's basketball after 12 seasons as the program's top assistant. She helped guide the Golden Rams to five NCAA Atlantic Regional Tournaments, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2023, and nine conference tournament appearances.

Ben Kay earns the associate head coach title for men's basketball in his sixth season alongside head coach Damien Blair. Since Kay returned to Hollinger Fieldhouse, the Golden Rams have won at least a share of the PSAC Eastern Division title in three of the last four seasons.

Kelsi Lykens, inducted into the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2024, is back at her alma mater as associate head coach for field hockey under head coach Amy Cohen. Lykens helped West Chester to the 2014 PSAC championship during an earlier stint, then spent 12 years coaching elsewhere. That stretch included two seasons as an assistant at Division I Sacred Heart, seven seasons building the program at Division II New Haven and three years as head coach at Division I Lehigh.

Matt McCain, an eight-year department veteran, rounds out the group. The former operations manager was promoted to the newly created position of director of external operations. He will oversee sports information, operations staff, the equipment room, grounds, and marketing and fan engagement.

Beattie, who was elected chair of the NCAA Division II Championships Committee in August, said in May when WCU won the Dixon Trophy that the award reflected "the collective excellence of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff across every sport we offer."

Fall seasons are underway for women's lacrosse, field hockey and both basketball programs as the newly titled coaches step into their roles.