Dec. 7, 2006

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - It was announced today that Providence College Associate Vice President for Athletics, Robert G. Driscoll, Jr., has extended the contract of head field hockey coach Diane Madl through the 2010 season. The announcement was made on Thursday, December 7. Madl directed the Friars to one of the most successful seasons in the 32-year history of the program. Providence claimed the BIG EAST Conference Regular-Season title and finished as runner-up at the 2006 BIG EAST Field Hockey Championship in Louisville, Ky. on November 4-5. On the heels of the program's success in 2006, Madl earned BIG EAST Coach of the Year and Dita/NFHCA Division I Northeast Region Coach of the Year honors.

"Diane has done a fantastic job rebuilding our field hockey program, and we are thrilled that we are able to keep her in the Friar family," Driscoll said. "With the support of our President, Father Shanley, the College has shown that its commitment to the field hockey program is strong. Diane is undoubtedly one of the top coaches in the country. Given her level of success as a head coach, she was a person of interest in several other searches at high profile institutions, and we couldn't be happier that Providence College is where she has chosen to make her home."

The Friars completed the year with an 18-4 overall record and a 5-1 mark in the BIG EAST Conference. The Friars captured the BIG EAST Conference Regular-Season title and finished as runner-up at the BIG EAST Field Hockey Championship. Providence was ranked in the NFHCA Division I National Coaches' Poll for nine-consecutive weeks, including seven-straight weeks in the top-15. PC was ranked 11th (its highest ranking of the year) for the final two weeks of the season, including the final poll, which was released on November 7. PC's 18 victories are tied for the second most in program history. The 18 wins also marks a 12-game improvement in the win column from a year ago when the Friars completed the 2005 season with a disappointing 6-13 record. The Friars winning percentage (0.818) in 2006 is the third highest in program history, and PC's five victories in league play are the most in program history for a single season in league play.

Five Friars earned All-BIG EAST honors, including three players who were recognized on the All-BIG EAST First Team. PC's three First-Team selections mark the most for a single season in program history, while the five overall selections are second most all-time.

Madl became the first Friar field hockey coach in program history to earn BIG EAST Coach of the Year and went on to earn Dita/NFHCA Division I Northeast Region Coach of the Year. PC freshman Rachel Chamberlain (Branford, Conn.) became just the third player in program history to earn one of the league's four major awards at BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year.

Five Friars were named to the All-Northeast Region Team. The five selections are tied for the most in program history for a single season and the three First-Team All-Northeast Region selections are tied for the most all time.

Chamberlain and senior midfield/defender Lauren Sickel (Plaistow, N.H.) became the seventh and eighth players all-time in program history to garner All-America honors as members of the NFHCA Division I All-America Third Team. They are the first All-Americans for Providence in the sport of field hockey since 1997. Chamberlain was just one of two freshman nation wide to earn All-America honors, among the 48 member All-America squad ranging from First Team to Third Team. Chamberlain also was honored as the ECAC Goalkeeper of the Year, along with earning All-ECAC recognition.

"I am extremely grateful to Bob and Father Shanley for the support they have given to the field hockey program," Madl said. "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to build the Providence College field hockey program toward continued success in the BIG EAST Conference and at the national level."