RELEASED: Aug. 22, 2002

DANVILLE, KY-Centre College has named Deb Whitten head field hockey coach and assistant tennis coach.

Whitten is a native of Victora, British Columbia, where she was qualified as a Level III certified coach, the highest ranking in Canada. She helped coach the Canadian National Field Hockey Team in the Commonwealth Games, the Pan American Games, and the World Cup.

From 1989 to 1995 Whitten played for the Canadian Field Hockey Team and competed at the World Cup twice, the Pan American Games twice, and the 1992 Olympic Games.

Whitten is impressed with what Centre has to offer.

"The people and the program sold me," she said. "There are only seven or eight decent field hockey jobs in all of Canada. This is a great opportunity for me, and this is a well-rounded job with some teaching, too. I really like the tradition and the enthusiasm of the people here. We hope to build on my experience as both a player and a coach, and Tom Hobbs, our assistant coach, has done a fantastic job organizing and staying in touch with our players. The playing field is wonderful. The schedule is challenging, and we'll have to play well to win. I'm excited and anxious to get started."

Centre has been playing field hockey since the 1920s when it was a club sport. The Lady Colonels have been playing intercollegiate competition since 1960.

Athletic Director Brian Chafin said, "We at Centre feel extremely fortunate to have been able to attract a coach with Deb's background and capabilities. I believe her expertise will enable our field hockey program to move on to the next level."

The Lady Colonels open the season Sept. 4 at home against Transylvania University.

For more on Centre's field hockey team, visit www.centre.edu/web/sports/FieldHockey/FieldHockey.htm.

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