Feb. 4, 2002

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Providence College Director of Athletics, Robert G. Driscoll, Jr., announced the hiring of Diane Madl, as the Friars' head field hockey coach, on February 4, 2002. Madl is set to begin a new era of field hockey at Providence as the sixth head coach in the 26-year history of the program.

Madl comes to Providence after spending eight seasons as the assistant coach at the University of Maine (1993-2001). In 1995, Madl took a year off from coaching to participate as a member of the 1996 United States Olympic Field Hockey team.

Madl is a 1989 graduate of the University of Connecticut. While at UConn, she eared All-America, Academic All-America and NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship honors for field hockey. She also played basketball for the Huskies from 1986-88. As a senior at UConn in 1989, Madl earned the prestigious Honda Broderick Award, as the top collegiate field hockey player in the nation, and also was named New England Female Athlete of the Year. Madl graduated from Connecticut magna cum laude, with a bachelor's degree in business administration.

As a member of the U.S. National Team, Madl played in the 1996 Olympic Games, World Cup, Pan American Games and World University Games. She also has been involved in the National Futures Program, as a head coach and has served as a selector for the U.S. National Team. Currently, Madl serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for the United States Field Hockey Association, and is the Vice President For High Performance.

Madl replaces Bill Davidson, who left Providence in November, with a career record of 30-50. Last season (2001), PC posted an 11-8 overall record, and a 1-4 mark in the BIG EAST Conference. The Friars finished tied for fourth place in the league standings.

FOR TRANSACTIONS: Providence names Diane Madl head field hockey coach.