University of Minnesota Duluth Intercollegiate Athletics Director Josh Berlo today launched the search for the next Bulldog head women's hockey coach.  Berlo also named a 10-member search advisory committee that includes UMD faculty, women's hockey alumni, administration, current student-athletes, women's hockey season ticket holders, the Campus Athletic Committee and the Northland community.
 
"The Bulldogs have great student-athletes, history and facilities and we are committed to building upon that tradition," said Berlo. "We are seeking the next leader for our program who will guide our women's hockey student-athletes to achieve at the highest levels in the classroom, competition and community.
 
"The search for our next coach demands a thorough and inclusive process. We have already begun communicating with potential applicants across the country, and are committed to seeking a national and diverse pool of candidates for head coach. The position has been posted publicly and all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply."
 
UMD Athletics is focused on the long-term success and sustainability of a women's hockey program that:

• Focuses on the well-being of student-athletes, including maintaining a high team cumulative grade point average and NCAA Academic Progress Rate score
• Has high integrity, a strong work ethic and conducts itself with great professionalism
• Sustained success against the top Western Collegiate Hockey Association and NCAA Division I programs
• Strengthens the community, locally and throughout Minnesota
• Increases the fan base and revenues
• Actively engages in community outreach, service and volunteer initiatives

 
The search advisory committee that will guide and inform the search includes:
 
Abbey Strong (Committee Chair)– UMD assistant athletic director, Compliance & Summer Camps, NCAA Division I women's hockey student-athlete at the University of North Dakota.
 
Michelle McAteer – Head women's hockey coach at Augsburg College, former UMD women's hockey student-athlete and assistant coach, member of four NCAA Championship teams with the Bulldogs as a student-athlete and coach.
 
Kim Riordan, Ed. D. – UMD associate vice chancellor & associate professor of Education, long-time women's hockey season ticket holder.
 
Ashleigh Brykaliuk – Sophomore UMD women's hockey student-athlete.
 
Sidney Morin – Sophomore UMD women's hockey student-athlete.
 
Dr. Rodger Brannan – UMD associate professor of accounting, Labovitz School of Business, Campus Athletic Committee member.
 
Leigh Neys – UMD director, International Education Office, former Campus Athletic Committee member, NCAA Division I volleyball student-athlete at Marist College.
 
Amy Marxhausen – Assistant Coach, Duluth Icebreakers U10 Girls Hockey, UMD Alumna and club women's hockey student-athlete
 
Jay Finnerty – UMD Assistant athletic director, Revenue & Special Projects, assistant sport administrator for UMD women's hockey
 
Jacqueline Phillips – Assistant Athletic Trainer for UMD women's hockey
 
The committee will work closely over the coming weeks with Chancellor Lendley Black, Berlo, Associate Athletic Director and Senior Women's Administrator Karen Stromme and NCAA Faculty Athletic Representative Dr. Stephen Castleberry of the Labovitz School of Business, in selecting the coach.
 
"We appreciate the selection advisory committee members making time for this important search.  The quality and diversity of the committee is evidence of the strong commitment that UMD and the Northland community have to Bulldog women's hockey." Berlo said.  "Early indications are of a high level of interest in this attractive position.  Given the success, facilities, support and tradition of Bulldog women's hockey we are confident in a bright future for the program."
 
UMD Intercollegiate Athletics consists of 16 varsity sport programs with women's and men's hockey competing at the NCAA I level in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and National Collegiate Hockey Conference, respectively.  The remaining 14 programs compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, one of the nation's top NCAA II conferences.  UMD boasts a long-standing tradition of academic and athletic excellence including a student-athlete cumulative grade point of 3.2 for the 2014 Fall Semester and 11 team and individual NCAA championship titles in the last 14 years.  
 
Interested applicants should apply at https://employment.umn.edu/