McCracken Promoted to Associate Head Field Hockey Coach
8/12/2004 11:48:22 AM | Field Hockey
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Mary McCracken, who spent the past 11 years as SU's assistant field hockey coach, has been promoted to the position of Associate Head Coach, as announced by head coach Kathleen Parker on Aug. 12. Parker is set to begin her 27th season as head coach of the Syracuse field hockey program. This will be McCracken's 12th year coaching on the sidelines with Parker, this time in a new role.
McCracken's primary coaching duties involve working with the defensive players and goalkeepers and it is that end of the field that promises to be strong for the Orange in 2004, with five returning starters, including two All-BIG EAST performers in Joanne Lombard and Michelle Sola.
McCracken is heavily involved in the coordination of Syracuse's recruiting efforts and serves as director of the Orange field hockey camp each summer.
During her tenure, McCracken has been responsible for molding some of the finest defensive players in school history. Last season, Lombard earned All-America honors. Becky Kohler was a first-team All-BIG EAST selection in 2001 and 2002, while Audrey Latsko was named the BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year and a first-team All-American in 2002.
McCracken arrived at SU during the summer of 1993. She has held prior appointments as an assistant field hockey and lacrosse coach at the University of Delaware (1990-92) and was head field hockey coach at LaSalle University in 1988 and 1989.
