Kathleen Schanne Named Field Hockey Coach at Kent State
2/14/2006 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
I am very impressed with Kathleen Schanne, Kennedy said. What our programs needs right now is what she will bring to us.
I am very excited to be returning to Kent State and also extremely grateful to Mr. Kennedy and the Athletic Department for this opportunity, Schanne (pronounced SHAY-nee) said. I am really anxious to begin working with the team this spring.
Schanne most recently served as an assistant coach at Miami University (Ohio). In her four seasons at Miami, she specialized as the recruiting coordinator bringing a total of 17 players to the RedHawks in the last two seasons, including 2004 All-Mid-American Conference First Team selection Taylor Florence.
Kathleens outstanding recruiting and administrative talent, as well as her on-field tactical ability is what makes her a very attractive choice, Kennedy continued. She was involved with our program when we were a dominant program in the MAC and she has been instrumental in turning Miamis program into a contender.
Prior to Miami, Schanne spent two seasons with the Golden Flashes, as a graduate assistant (2000-01); completing her masters degree in education. During her tenure at Kent State she helped guide the team to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances, one MAC Tournament title and one MAC regular-season championship. She was also heavily involved in Kent States recruiting efforts as well as the academic progress of the team.
This was an exhaustive search, in which we had a number of factors in mind, Senior Associate Director of Athletics Cathy ODonnell said. Making sure our current student-athletes and alumni would be at the forefront of our new coach was important. Our field hockey family is a very special to us and Kathleen brings us a tie to the past, while reaching to the future.
Before coming to Kent State, Schanne spent two seasons coaching at both Notre Dame Academy in Villanova, Pa., and at her alma mater, Archbishop Carroll High School, in Newtown Square, Pa.
In addition to her collegiate and high school experience, Schanne has spent time at the national level coaching at the USA-Canada Challenge Cup, held in Vancouver, B.C. She has also coached in the National Futures Program for the past five years.
Becoming a head coach at the collegiate level has always been a goal of mine, Schanne said. And I am very excited for this opportunity and for the future of Kent State field hockey.
A 1997 graduate of Providence College, Schanne earned a degree in social science and was a member of the field hockey team. She was named to the All-Big East Second Team as a junior and was named to the Athletic Directors Honor Roll in 1995. She served as team captain her senior season and was selected to play in the National Field Hockey Coaches Associations Senior All-Star Game.
Schanne takes over a Kent State team that won the MAC regular-season championship a year ago, posting an 8-13 record. The 2005 campaign started out rocky as the Golden Flashes began the seaosn 0-11. But with a strong finish, KSU blazed through the conference finishing on top, only to lose to Central Michigan in the semi-finals of the MAC Tournament.
