ATHENS, Ohio – Former All-American and All-Atlantic Coast Conference performer Katie Jo Gerfen has been added to the Ohio field hockey coaching staff, head coach Neil Macmillan announced today.
"I am very excited to be involved in the athletic department at Ohio University," Gerfen said. "It is a great opportunity to work with a developing program."
Gerfen will serve as the assistant coach beginning in 2005, Macmillan’s first season at Ohio.
"Katie Jo is a great addition to the program. She has played the sport at the highest level within Division I and has had national recognition," Macmillan said. "Her experience on the field, especially in defense, will add another dimension to the coaching here at Ohio, and I am sure that the team will benefit greatly from her knowledge."
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 U16 and U19 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.
"Katie Jo is a very genuine person who will represent the program extremely well off the field," Macmillan said. "I feel that we will work well together and I am looking forward to teaching her the ins and outs about being an assistant coach."
Gerfen and the Bobcats begin the 2005 campaign with a three-game road trip, beginning Aug. 27 at Northeastern. Ohio opens the home slate at Peggy Pruitt Field on Sept. 9 versus Maine.
