Terps Field Hockey Announces 2010 Staff
6/7/2010 8:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
June 7, 2010
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland field hockey team announced its 2010 coaching Monday. Current coach Tjerk van Herwaarden stays on as Associate Head Coach/Technical Director, while former Terrapin All-American and Olympian Dina Rizzo returns to College Park as an assistant coach.
"It is with honor and enthusiasm that I welcome Dina back to College Park. Her willing work rate and world-class hockey knowledge will have a profound impact on both the team and the Maryland athletics department. Dina brings Terp tradition, history and love of the game. I could not be more pleased for our players as we set our 2010 goals with Dina Rizzo back on our team," head coach Missy Meharg said.
"I am very thrilled to have Dina Rizzo join the Maryland Field Hockey staff. Being an elite level player and a Terp alum she is a great addition to an excellent staff. Her international experience and personality will ensure Maryland Field hockey to remain one of the top programs in the nation and with Dina we will be able to continue a tradition of excellence with the Maryland Field Hockey program," van Herwaarden said.
After conducting a full candidate search, Maryland welcomes Rizzo back to College Park, after she served as an assistant at the University of Massachusetts during the 2009 season. Prior to her time in Amherst, Mass., Rizzo spent the spring of 2009 working with the Crimson of Harvard. She got her start in coaching as a volunteer assistant with the Terrapins in 2004.
Rizzo served on the U.S. Senior National team for seven years after her graduation from Maryland, making 133 appearances. She competed in all six of the U.S.'s games in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and played in the 2006 World Cup. Rizzo was also a member of the 2003 Pan American silver medalist team and played in two Olympic qualifiers and one World Cup qualifier.
As a player at Maryland from 1998-2001, Rizzo was a member of the 1999 National Championship team. She was named a first team All-American, All-ACC and to the NCAA All-Tournament team in 2001. Rizzo earned her bachelor of arts in Communication in 2002.
"I'm ecstatic and excited to be coming back. It's a program and university that has given me so many opportunities in field hockey and in life," Rizzo said. "It's an honor to have the opportunity to come and give back. I've known Missy for a long time and she has given me so much support, so I am definitely excited to be back to the place where I call home."
Maryland athletics director Debbie Yow said, "It is always a pleasure to welcome back Terp student-athletes like Dina, who have achieved international recognition. Coach Meharg has made a wise choice that will pay dividends for years to come."
Van Herwaarden returns for his sixth year at Maryland, but first as Associate Head Coach. He will continue to work as the program's Technical Director.
"As a young Dutch coaching colleague, I asked Tjerk to join me at Maryland with the intent to win titles while teaching fundamental hockey. Since his arrival Maryland has won three of our six National Championships (2005, 2006, 2008). He is technically and tactically progressive with a deep rooted passion and patience for teaching the game," Meharg said.
"It is logical to name Tjerk as an associate head coach. After 5 successful seasons working within the ACC and NCAA systems he has earned this title promotion. It is a fun staff with tons of national and international hockey knowledge and experience. I am confident that Tjerk, Dina and I will challenge each other in some way every day."
