MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State head coach Mike Turgeon has announced that Alissa Rausch will join the Maverick track and field coaching staff.

"Adding Alissa Rausch to our coaching staff is a tremendous win for Minnesota State Track and Field," Turgeon said. "Alissa has established herself as one of the top throws coaches in the region through her success at the University of Sioux Falls, where she developed conference champions, national qualifiers, and All-Americans while building a strong culture of excellence.
 
"What excites me most is not only her technical expertise and ability to develop student-athletes, but also the passion and energy she brings to coaching. As our program continues to grow and compete for conference and national championships, adding a coach of Alissa's caliber strengthens our ability to provide our student-athletes with an elite experience both on and off the field. We are thrilled to welcome Alissa to the Maverick family and look forward to the impact she will have on our student-athletes and our program for years to come."
 
"I am blessed to be joining Minnesota State Track and Field and am grateful to Coach Mike Turgeon for the opportunity to become part of the Maverick family," Rausch said. "I look forward to learning from and working alongside an outstanding coaching staff while contributing to the continued success of the program. I am passionate about helping student-athletes reach their full potential and excited to support their growth in the classroom, in competition, and in life."
 
Prior to joining Minnesota State, Rausch served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator with the University of Sioux Falls for 10 seasons. While at USF, Rausch coached student-athletes in the discus, shot put, javelin, hammer and weight throw events. In total, she coached nine All-Americans, 30 NCAA Championship qualifiers, 72 NCAA DII provisional qualifiers, 11 NSIC Champions and 75 NSIC placers. She was also named the 2025 NSIC Outdoor Women's Assistant Coach of the Year.
 
Before joining Sioux Falls, Rausch served as a volunteer assistant coach with the Winona State women's track and field team from 2015-16. There she coached athletes in the discus, shot put, javelin, hammer and weight throw events. She also helped with recruiting, admissions and retention.
 
Rausch earned her bachelor's degree in public and community health from Winona State. As a student-athlete at WSU, Rausch earned seven All-American honors, including an NCAA Division II Championship in the discus. She is the current record holder in the discus event at WSU and in the NSIC. Along with her success on the field, Rausch excelled in the classroom as she was named to the NSIC All-Academic Team three times and the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team three times.