Julianne Rurka joined Western Illinois softball as a graduate assistant coach in August of 2018. She serves a variety of roles for the team, working mainly with infield, catchers, and hitting.
The Warrenville, Ill., native was a four-year starter at Providence College in the infield. Rurka started 22 games for the Friars as a freshman in 2015 before suffering a season-ending injury. She earned a Big East Player of the Week honor the following season and finished with three home runs as well as 29 RBI.
Rurka earned Big East Second Team (1B) honors as a junior in 2017 compiling a .450 on base percentage while hitting three long balls again with a career-high 34 RBI over 47 starts. The Benet Academy alumna rounded out her Friar career earning Big East Second Team (UT) honors with a .333 batting average during her senior year with 10 doubles, 2 home runs, and 19 RBI.
She is currently pursuing a master's degree in sport management.
