Field Hockey Rounds Out Coaching Staff with Debbie Bell and Christine Summers
8/25/2015 12:47:00 PM | Field Hockey
NEW YORK – Columbia field hockey head coach Caroline Nichols has rounded out her coaching staff with the hirings of Debbie Bell as assistant coach and Christine Summers as a volunteer assistant.
“Both Debbie and Christine will bring great things to the Columbia field hockey program,” Nichols said.
“Debbie was an exceptional forward and athlete during her playing career and she has a great ability to translate that skill as an athlete to being a coach. I am very excited for the impact Debbie will have on our team's attack. I believe she will be key in unlocking our attacking potential.”
“Christine has an infectious enthusiasm for the game and I know the team will thrive under her energy. Her understanding of the foundation of the game will support the vision of this program as we look to develop each player into the best athlete she can become. I look forward to the work Christine will do in keeping our program connected with our alumni base as well!”
Bell comes to Columbia from Manhattanville College where she served as an assistant coach the last two seasons. While there, she worked with the forwards and helped Manhattanville emerge as one of the top offenses in the country. Bell also was the recruiting coordinator and film analyst for the program.
Bell works with USA Field Hockey as a coach for the U16 Hudson Blue, a position she has held since 2009. Previously, she has had coaching stints at Rye High School, Bates College and her alma mater, Kent State.
As a player, Bell is the Kent State record holder with 97 career goals and was a third team All-American in 2010 to go with three All-Mac first team selections. A native of New Zealand, Bell earned her undergraduate degree in 2012.
Summers is the founder and owner of Beyond Sticks LLC, an organization that aims to empower women through sport with sports leadership camps. From 2011-14, Summers was the Head of Field Hockey Programming at the Potomac School in Northern Virginia.
She ran programs ranging from sixth to 12th grade at the elite private school and helped the team to its first conference playoff win in over five years, first state tournament appearance in eight years and multiple winning seasons for the first time in over a decade.
While earning her master's degree in Sports Industry Management from Georgetown in 2012, Summers served as a volunteer assistant coach for the field hockey program.
Summers played field hockey at Vassar College from 2004-07, earning her degree in Anthropology with a minor in Latin American studies in 2008.
