Utica University Athletics

Rylee Meelan was hired in the Summer of 2019 as the assistant field hockey coach.  She will assist head coach Nikki Kieffer with all facets of the program, including day-to-day operations, scouting, recruiting, as well as game and practice preparation. Meelan brings a unique rapport with Kieffer to the position after playing her entire career while Kieffer served as either an assistant or head coach on the Pioneers’ staff. 

Meelan is a 2019 graduate of Utica College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations. She served as a student intern in the Utica College Sports Information office during her senior year.  

A four-year member of the field hockey team, Meelan was an offensive catalyst at forward during her career. She ranks fifth in the history of the program with 97 career points, and had 43 career goals. Her senior year was her most productive of all with 39 of her career points coming in her final campaign. She was a two-time NFHCA All-Region selection, and was named to the first team in 2018. She also played in the 2018 edition of the NFHCA Senior All-Star game. Meelan’s participation marked a fifth straight year with at least one Utica participant in the contest. She is a four-time All-Empire 8 selection with two first team selections, and two stints on the second team.

The shining moment of her career with the Pioneers may have come in 2017, when she chaired up the team’s run to the Empire 8 Conference Championship game. She scored both Utica goals as the Pioneers derailed second-seeded St. John Fisher, then added another in a title game loss to top-seeded Washington and Jefferson.

The Pioneers’ star forward also put her athletic exploits to good use as a member of the Utica College Track and Field team. Meelan was a part of a 4x100 meter relay team that placed second at the Empire 8 Championships, and qualified for the ECAC Division III Track and Field Championships. Individually she competed at 100 meters and in the long jump.

Following her playing days, Meelan has continued to compile a tremendous list of accolades. She was the 2019 Jim “Doc” Spartano award winner as presented each year at the Pioneer Hall of Fame and Senior Athlete Dinner. Meelan was also recently nominated for the prestigious NCAA Woman of the Year award. The award is given each year to a female student-athlete who has exhausted their eligibility and have distinguished themselves in academics, athletics, service and leadership throughout their collegiate careers.

Meelan entered Utica as a homegrown talent from nearby Clinton Central School. She starred for the Warriors during her four years while setting new program standards for goals scored in a season, and in a career. She has spent time volunteering as a coach with the field hockey and track and field programs at Clinton.