March 18, 2009

ATHENS, Ohio - Ohio University field hockey coach Neil Macmillan has announced the hirings of Ali Johnstone as assistant coach and Kelly Terwilliger as graduate assistant coach Wednesday, with both set to start this spring.

Johnstone returns to her alma mater after graduating in 2002 as one of the most decorated players in Bobcat field hockey history. The Delta, British Columbia, native was a two-time NFHCA All-American while playing for the 'Cats from 1998-2001, making the first team as a senior, and was the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year and the Ohio Female Student-Athlete of the Year in 2001, as well. She was a four-time All-MAC First Team selection, the only player in Ohio history to do so, and was tabbed a First Team West Region All-American her final three years in Athens.

"It's very exciting to be bringing Ali back to Ohio," Macmillan said. "She was a huge part of the success of the 2001 team and is committed to and sold on Ohio University and that's exciting to have an assistant coach that believes in everything that's going on here."

Johnstone helped lead the Bobcats to a MAC regular season and tournament championship in her senior campaign, when she earned All-MAC Tournament honors and led Ohio to a 16-5 overall mark and a 9-1 record in the league, as the 'Cats made their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament. She was selected to the NFHCA Senior All-Star Game and left as Ohio's career assists leader with 36 and ranks third all-time in points (106) and fourth all-time in goals (35).

The former Bobcat standout also played for her native Canada on its National Team for nine years, competing on the junior team from 1998-2002 while at Ohio and on the senior team from 2002-2006, where she earned 35 caps. She also played professionally for Hamburg in the German Premier Division from 2005-2006.

"Ali's someone that is a complete package as an assistant coach," Macmillan said. "She has plenty of experience (playing) at the highest level. She has a good knowledge of the game because of her experiences internationally and she really wants to learn about the college level from a coaching perspective. She's coached some of the best high school players in Canada and really has a desire to improve individuals."

Along with her playing experience, Johnstone brings multiple years of coaching knowledge back to Ohio, as she has served as a coach at many levels, including being the head coach for the U-19 British Columbia Provincial A team in 2007 and the U-16 Regional High Performance team from 2006 through 2008. She is completing her Level 3 coaching program and has also played under some of the top coaches in the world from Australia, the Netherlands and Germany.

For the last three years, in addition to coaching, she has been a fitness trainer and coach, creating and implementing workout programs for all ages, from elite athletes to the elderly. She recently ran the New York City Marathon and looks to bring new and innovative training and fitness programs to the Ohio field hockey program.

"Her experiences over the past few years as a training coach will really benefit the team on many levels and I'm very excited that she has expertise in that area to advance our individual conditioning in a very qualified manner," Macmillan said.

Johnstone earned her bachelor's degree in sports sciences from Ohio in 2002 and is replacing Mollie Reichard, who left for a similar position at Old Dominion. Upon beginning her position this spring, the Bobcat alum will spearhead recruiting, as well as help with practice, scouting and working with players one on one, among other tasks.

Terwilliger comes to Ohio after serving as an undergraduate assistant at The Ohio State University in 2008, while finishing up her bachelor's degree in education and human ecology. As an undergraduate assistant, she helped plan and manage practices, organized team travel and produced scouting reports on opponents, among other duties.

Prior to that, the East Stroudsburg, Pa., native played for the Buckeyes, starting every game of her four-year career. While competing in Columbus, Terwilliger anchored the Buckeye defense, earning the team's Most Valuable Defender Award in 2007 and 2008. She was named Academic All-Big Ten twice in her career and to the All-Big Ten Tournament team in 2007. She also helped lead the Buckeyes to a 2006 Big Ten regular season title with a 15-4 record and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.

"Kelly was a key part of the Buckeyes during her four years at Ohio State," Macmillan said. "She's someone we certainly knew about in our scouting reports. She's a highly motivated and driven individual who desires to be in coaching and education. She has a personality which fits very well with those desires."

Terwilliger has also worked as a United States Field Hockey FUTURES Midwest Regional coach from 2004-2008, helping develop future Olympic athletes and identifying talent. She has instructed at camps throughout Columbus and at collegiate camps at Ohio State, Penn State, Rutgers and Bucknell, as well.

"She comes from a family of coaches (her dad and brother coach football) and I'm very happy she's experienced coaching after serving on Ohio State's staff last year," Macmillan said. "With that, she knows the Ohio area and has bought into what we're doing here and our team goals. She's someone who's committed to getting this program moving forward."

Terwilliger will begin serving as the graduate assistant coach this spring, replacing Gracie Sorbello, who's finishing her master's degree in recreation studies. Terwilliger will help organize practice, work with film, make travel arrangements and coordinate academics and study tables for the team, among other assignments. She will be pursuing her master's degree in coaching while on Ohio's staff.

The Bobcats open their 2009 season Friday, August 28, against defending national champion Maryland in Evanston, Ill.