Northwestern University Athletics
Kelly McCollum Named Head Field Hockey Coach
1/5/2004 12:00:00β―AM | Field Hockey
Jan. 5, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern Athletic Director Mark Murphy has announced Kelly McCollum as the new head coach of the Wildcat field hockey program. McCollum replaces Marisa Didio, who retired after serving nine seasons at Northwestern. She becomes the sixth coach in the program's 24-year history.
"I am very excited about this next step in my coaching career," said McCollum. "To be a head coach in the Big Ten Conference is a tremendous challenge that I am looking forward to."
McCollum, who was promoted to associate head coach prior to the 2003 season, has spent the last four seasons under Didio and is no stranger to the Northwestern program. A 1995 graduate of Northwestern, McCollum earned a degree in chemical engineering.
As an athlete, she captained the 1994 Big Ten Champion field hockey team that advanced to the NCAA semifinal round and was ranked No. 1 for five consecutive weeks during the season. She was named to the Midwest Region All-America team and was an All-Big Ten selection in 1993 and 1994. McCollum is eager to guide the 'Cats to the success she enjoyed as a player.
"As we move ahead to what's next, our staff and players are committed to the Northwestern Field Hockey program and building the next era of champions," said McCollum.
Prior to assuming coaching duties at NU, McCollum spent three years as an assistant coach at Northeastern University in Boston, Mass., and two years as an assistant coach at the University of New Hampshire.
McCollum has been an active coach in the Nation Field Hockey Association as well. She has been the head coach for the Under-19 Futures Site for the past three years. Most recently, she helped coach the U.S. Under-19 National Team at the 2002 Cal Cup and coached at the 2002 and 2003 "B" Camp. Additionally, McCollum is a 2004 NFHCA Division I Group Representative.
