GREENSBURG, PA - Seton Hill University has named Jessica Black as its first women’s field hockey coach. Black has been involved with field hockey in southwestern PA for 20 years as a coach, player and referee. Black will also take over as women’s softball coach from John Fogle beginning in the 2003 – 2004 season. The women’s field hockey team is slated to begin its inaugural season in fall 2003.

Before coming to Seton Hill, Black taught at Craig Academy and served as the varsity softball coach at Springdale High School. Black also coached the varsity field hockey team for Woodland Hills School District from 1993-1997. In her new position at Seton Hill, Black will be responsible for recruiting athletes in addition to coaching.

“Starting a field hockey program at Seton Hill is a phenomenal opportunity for me, and will mean great things for field hockey in southwestern PA,” says Black. “I can’t wait to start recruiting, and to get the word out that we’re here.”

“We expect great things from Jessica,” says current women’s softball coach and athletic director John Fogle. “She has the experience and the contacts to get the women’s field hockey team at Seton Hill off to a running start. And although I’ll miss coaching the women’s softball team, I have complete faith that Jessica will do a good job there as well.”

“I hesitated a little when John approached me about coaching softball,” Black says. “He’s an icon here, and a new coach might be a little bit of a culture shock for the team. But my excitement about coaching at this level really outweighed my initial apprehension. I’ve coached high school and tournament ball for ten years, and it’s been a life-long dream of mine to coach at the college level.”

The NAIA, Seton Hill’s conference, currently doesn’t recognize field hockey. This makes starting a new college team a bit of a challenge. Black isn’t worried. “I’ve been involved with field hockey in southwestern PA for 20 years, and interest has grown continually during that time. There are enough local high schools with field hockey programs that I’m sure this is something that will quickly take on a life of its own.”

For more information about the athletics program at Seton Hill, please contact athletic director John Fogle, at 724-838-4259, Marc Marizzaldi, sports information director, at 724-830-1169 or marizzaldi@setonhill.edu or visit Seton Hill’s website: www.setonhill.edu.

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