 Lauren Bruce Named Head Field Hockey Coach
May 18, 2009
St. Louis - Saint Louis University director of athletics Chris May announced that Lauren Bruce has been named head coach of the Billiken field hockey program. Bruce, who has served as an assistant coach at SLU for the past three seasons, becomes the 10th head coach in the program's history. "We are excited to promote Lauren to the head coaching position for our field hockey team," May said. "Her knowledge and experience in the Atlantic 10 Conference and her familiarity with our current student-athletes will be tremendous assets to the program. Lauren did a great job with the program this spring in setting the foundation to move the program forward. She was an outstanding student-athlete at New Hampshire and will be a strong leader and example for our field hockey team." "I am thrilled to be named head field hockey coach at Saint Louis University," Bruce said. "It has been a goal of mine to become a head coach, and I am thankful for the opportunity. I'm looking forward to the upcoming season and continuing to work with our student-athletes. SLU is an outstanding institution, and academic achievement will be a top priority for our team. I also expect them to work as hard on the field so that we can be a contender in the A-10." A product of the University of New Hampshire, Bruce was a four-year field hockey letterwinner for the Wildcats from 2001-04. During that time, the defensive-minded midfielder scored 10 career points (1G, 8A) and helped the Wildcats to 33 wins. In her final two seasons, she helped UNH register 19 wins. An Academic All-American during the 2004-05 academic year, Bruce received several honors for her academic success. She earned a spot on the America East Conference honor roll each year she was eligiblAe. In addition, Bruce was the 2005 recipient of the prestigious Dean Williamson Award, which is presented to a University of New Hampshire senior who has been outstanding and well-rounded in extracurricular activities, scholarship, athletics and loyalty to the University.
Bruce, a native of Amherst, N.Y., has been integrally involved in coaching throughout her career. Beginning with her playing days at UNH, Bruce has served as a coach for the United States Field Hockey Association (USFHA) FUTURES program. In addition, she is site director and head coach for the FUTURES program in St. Louis. Bruce serves as a coach for USA Athletes International (USAAI), a non-profit organization dedicated to giving amateur athletes and coaches an opportunity to participate in international Olympic-style sporting events throughout the world. She is a Level I certified official for USFHA and indoor field hockey. In her first season with Saint Louis in 2006, Bruce helped the Billikens finish with a 7-9 record, their best winning percentage since 1991. She has coached four All-Conference selections during her stint with the Billikens. Bruce earned a bachelor's degree in women's studies from New Hampshire in 2005 and completed a master's degree in social work at SLU in spring 2009. |
|
