May 7, 2004
BURLINGTON, Vt. -
Former Maryland soccer player Katie Kruse was hired as an assistant women's soccer coach at the University of Vermont earlier this week. Kruse will be reunited with former Maryland assistant coach Kerry Dziczkaniec, who took over as Vermont's head coach in February after serving at Maryland for five years.
Kruse was hired along with George Cook, who worked with the Catamounts last season.
Kruse was a standout defender at Maryland for four years and played for Dziczkaniec during her career. She developed into a team leader and played a significant role in the Terps three straight NCAA Tournament appearances during her final three seasons. Kruse graduated from Maryland with a bachelor's degree in elementary education.
A native of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, Kruse spent the past year as an assistant coach for the men's and women's soccer teams at Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio. This past season both Ashland squads advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament. The men's team posted a record of 12-4-2 overall, its fourth straight season with at least 12 wins. The women's team posted a mark of 16-1-2 overall and won its seventh straight Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship with an unbeaten mark of 7-0-1. The Eagles also earned a #9 national ranking in 2003.
"Katie's commitment and passion for the game made her a complete Division I student-athlete on and off the field," stated Dziczkaniec. "As a college coach she has provided leadership, dedication and knowledge to the student-athletes at Ashland in both the men's and women's soccerprograms. I am thrilled about Katie joining the UVM soccer staff."
Cook will return to the Catamounts for his second season as an assistant coach. He has been a great asset in the transition to Dziczkaniec in her first few months at Vermont. Prior to joining the UVM women's soccer program, Cook spent nine years at the helm of the Montpelier High School Girls' Varsity Soccer Program and led the Solons to the Vermont State Finals twice.
Cook was named the Vermont Large School Coach of the Year in 1996 and was twice named the Capital Division Coach of the Year while at the helm of the Montpelier program.
Cook was a four-year member of the Castelton State men's soccer team and earned the US Soccer Federation "A" license and "Premier Diploma" from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. He is the co-founder and director of Capital Soccer, a soccer education organization based in Montpelier that operates year round.
"George provided great leadership during UVM's search for a head coach which enabled the team to stay unified and competitive," commented Dziczkaniec. "His loyalty and dedication to Vermont and the women's soccer program make him a special coach and valuable asset to the team.
"Katie and George will be tremendous role models for our student-athletes."
