Katie Jo Gerfen was added to the Ohio field hockey staff in the summer of 2005, after finishing a celebrated collegiate playing career.

A graduate of the University of Virginia, Gerfen was one of the most heralded players in the nation during her career in Charlottesville. She started every game in her four-year career, leading the Cavaliers on the defensive end.

A two-time captain, Gerfen was honored by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association and womensfieldhockey.com in 2003 as an All-American. She earned All-ACC honors in 2001 and was a three-time member of the All-South Regional team.

Gerfen was a member of USA Field Hockey's Under-16 and Under-19 teams and participated in the Junior Olympics from 1996-1998. She attended Warwick High School in Lititz, Pa., the same program that produced Ohio senior Chelsea Mearig and sophomore Lindsay Schwartz. At Warwick, Gerfen was a three-time All-State performer and two-time All-American selection in field hockey. She also garnered All-American honors in softball.

In 2000, Gerfen was named Warwick Female Athlete of the Year and was given the Lancaster Lebanon Athlete Sportsmanship Award.

Alongside her playing career, Gerfen has been active on the coaching scene for the past five years. She served as an assistant coach for four years at the camps of several Division I powerhouse programs, including Wake Forest, Old Dominion and Duke. In 2003, Gerfen was on the staff of the United States Field Hockey Association Futures Program in Richmond, Va., teaching potential collegiate prospects.

In addition to spending six years as a teaching assistant at several levels, Gerfen earned her a bachelor's degree and certification in health and physical education. She also earned a master's in teaching from Virginia.