JMU hires U.S. Olympian as head coach

Former UNH assistant coach Antoinette Lucas takes over field hockey program

The history of the field hockey program at JMU has had its fair share of success over the years, but the 2003 season was not what the Dukes were used to. Finishing with a disappointing record of 6-14, the field hockey program has hired a new head coach, Antoinette Lucas.

This past season, the Dukes finished fifth in the Colonial Athletic Conference, their lowest finish since 1990.

Former coach Irene Horvat resigned Dec. 4, 2003, after heading the team for four years. Her resignation created a need for a shift in coaching style.

Lucas, who officially will take over her position next week, comes to JMU with a great deal of knowledge of the game, as well as personal achievement in the sport. A native of Richmond, she has served as a Division I-A assistant coach since 1992.

Lucas began her coaching career as an assistant at the University of Connecticut from 1992 to ‘95. She then went on to be an assistant coach at Duke University from 1996 to '99, and completed another assistant term at Northeastern University from 1999 to '01.

"I'm pretty excited about coach Lucas' hiring," red-shirt junior forward Alissa Santanna said. "I think the team was ready for a new start. Some of the older girls sat in on the interviews and, she was by far our favorite candidate."

During Lucas' playing career, she made 173 international game appearances, including an Olympic appearance for the United States in the Atlanta, Ga., games during the summer of 1996.

Before becoming a member of the U.S. National Team, Lucas was a two-time All-American in both field hockey and lacrosse at Northwestern University.

"I think it sounds like she is a very positive person," red-shirt freshman forward Casey Cahill said. "A quote from her that I really liked was that she likes to ‘shout the praise and whisper the criticism.' I feel from that statement alone that she is ready to lead our team and take us back to the top."

The field hockey program has not topped the CAA since former coach Christy Morgan departed in 1999. The program won a national championship in 1994. In 2002, the team earned a ranking as high as fourth place in the national polls and received a tournament berth.

With the past success of JMU's storied program, Lucas will have quite a task ahead of her restoring the program in her first head coaching opportunity.

"The instituting of a new coach will assist our team in not dwelling on our 2003 season," red-shirt freshman midfielder Kate Brady said. "This will give us a fresh start with no boundaries. We have confidence that Lucas will lead us to paramount things in 2004."

Lucas was unavailable for comment and did not return phone calls.