DURANGO – January 11, 2018 – Fort Lewis College Director of Athletics Barney Hinkle announced today that Skyhawks head volleyball coach Kelley Rifilato, and assistant football coach Ed Rifilato have resigned.
 
Kelley Rifilato has been the head volleyball coach the past five seasons, collecting a 38-77 (.330) overall record and a 26-65 (.286) record in league matches.  She coached eight all-conference and 33 Academic All-RMAC performers while taking the 2013 team to the RMAC tournament.
 
"We greatly appreciate Kelley's commitment to the Fort Lewis College volleyball program and our student-athletes during her tenure here," said Hinkle.  "Her student-athletes regularly performed at the highest levels in the classroom.  Kelley's contributions to the Durango and surrounding volleyball communities throughout her career have been tremendous."
 
First year assistant volleyball coach Sloan Levett also announced she has resigned from her position.
 
Football coach Ed Rifilato has served in several capacities for the Skyhawks, including two terms as head coach.  Rifilato, who spent 12 seasons coaching the Skyhawks, came to Fort Lewis in the spring of 2002 as the defensive coordinator before serving as the head coach from 2004-09, recording a 26-48 overall record (.351), a 21-39 league record (.350) and the program's first post-season win in 2006 with a 24-14 win over Dixie State College.  After a two-year hiatus from FLC, Rifilato returned in the spring of 2012 as the defensive coordinator. In 2016, Rifilato again held the role as head coach, but stepped down prior to the start of the 2017 season to coach the linebackers.
 
"Ed's contributions to the Fort Lewis College football program have been tremendous for many years," said Hinkle.  He has served as a mentor and valued friend to our current head football coach, Joe Morris.  I greatly appreciated getting to know Ed during the brief time we worked together.  I was very fortunate to experience his positive demeanor, support and overall great character. "
 
"We wish Ed and Kelley much happiness and success in their future endeavors," said Hinkle.
 
A nation-wide search will begin shortly for the next Skyhawks head volleyball coach.