Head coach Missy Meharg announced Jane DeGrenier as the new Director of Field Hockey Operations in the summer of 2011.
DeGrenier comes to College Park as a volunteer after serving the last 16 years as the head coach of the varsity and junior varsity field hockey, lacrosse, ice hockey and volleyball teams at the National Cathedral School in Washington D.C.
Since 2007, she also worked as an administrator for USA Field Hockey's Futures Program, which prepares athletes for the Olympic pipeline. She helped organize and run the annual tournaments and events, athlete selection to the program and training of the program's coaches.
"I am thrilled to be a part of the University of Maryland field hockey program as the Director of Operations," DeGrenier said. "This is an incredible professional opportunity for me and I am indebted to Missy Meharg and the entire Maryland staff. I am looking forward to being part of this outstanding program, working with highly accomplished and successful coaches and elite athletes."
In the late 1990s, DeGrenier started a competitive club field hockey team for Washington D.C.-area athletes. The program, Southeast Storm, participated in the National Field Hockey Festival, as well as other competitions around the country.
DeGrenier also brings a wealth of collegiate coaching experience. From 1991-95, she was the head field hockey coach at Hollins College in Roanoke, Va., a Division III school. Prior to her year at Hollins College, she was an assistant at both the University of Richmond (1989-91) and Oswego State University (1988-89).
"Jane is a serious hockey enthusiast. As a past player, high school/club coach, and an administrator with USA Field Hockey's Futures Program, we are fortunate to bring her into our program as Director of Field Hockey Operations," Meharg said.
She earned a bachelor's degree in physical education and coaching from Ithaca College in 1986 and her Master's in sport management from University of Richmond in 1991. In addition to her coaching responsibilities, she has also taught physical education classes at the National Cathedral School, Hollins College, Roanoke College, University of Richmond and the Hannibal Central Schools in New York.
While at Ithaca, she was on the Dean's List and helped lead her 1982 team to a Division III national title. She was named the team's Most Valuable Player in 1985 and to the All-State Team in 1985. She also played lacrosse at Ithaca and was an All-State team member in 1985 and 1986.
Certified as a Level 2 coach by the U.S. Field Hockey Association, she has run numerous clinics and camps alongside the nation's top field hockey athletes.
