June 21, 2004
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Tracey Larson, a five-year member of the United States National Field Hockey Team, was named the new assistant coach for Columbia field hockey effective July 7, 2004, Head Coach Katie Beach announced.
"I am really excited to have someone with Tracey's level of international experience working with the team," Coach Beach said. "She brings a tremendous wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to the program. She has a great personality and I am confident that she will help me bring this program to the next level."
Larson has 80 international caps and three goals in five seasons with the U.S. Field Hockey Team, where she played with head coach Katie Beach. She has served as a camp counselor at various field hockey summer programs since 1996, and recently Larson owned and directed The Edge Clinics in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
A former captain of the Penn State field hockey team, Larson was a first team All-American as a senior, when she also earned the Big Ten's Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year honors. Larson was a four-time Academic All-Big Ten, a two-time first team All-Big Ten selection and a two-time first team All-Region selection. She led the Nittany Lions to consecutive conference championships in 1997 and 1998, while leading the team to the Big Ten Tournament title in 1996, 1997 and 1998.
Larson graduated from Penn State in 1999 with a degree in education.
"Tracey loves field hockey and loves to teach. I know she will be a valuable asset to the development of the program," Coach Beach concluded.
The Columbia field hockey team opens up the season on Saturday, September 4 at Hofstra at 2 p.m.
