ANDERS TO LEAD U.S. NATIONAL TEAM

U.S. Field Hockey has named Old Dominion Univ. head coach Beth Anders as head coach of the U.S. women's national team.

Anders, who had been serving as the U.S. team's temporary coach since April, returns to the head coaching position with the U.S. team after previously serving in 1985 and again from 1990-93.

"We are very pleased that Beth has agreed to become the US women's national team coach," said U.S. Field Hockey President Sharon Taylor. "This is a great commitment on Beth's part to leave the outstanding program at Old Dominion to dedicate her efforts to U .S. Field Hockey. Beth and her staff stepped in at a difficult time, and have done very well with the team. Taking this position for the remainder of the quad will allow them to see the results of everything they've worked for over the last couple of months, and hopefully it will culminate with the Olympic Games in Athens."

A 1984 Olympic bronze medalist, Anders owns a 430-64-7 record as head coach at Old Dominion while leading the Lady Monarchs to nine national championships. She played for the U.S. team from 1970-84 and was named to the Olympic team in 1980 and 1984. As head coach of the U.S. National team, Anders guided the squad to a bronze medal at the 1991 Pan Am Games and a qualifying berth in the 1994 World Cup.

Anders will begin her duties immediately with the U.S. team at the FIH Champions Challenge, July 5-13 in Catania, Italy.

The U.S. will meet Germany, Spain, Japan and Italy in the annual event featuring the world's 7-12th ranked teams.
Following the Champions Challenge, Anders and the U.S. team will begin finalizing their preparations for the Pan American Games, Aug. 2-13 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The Pan American Games serve as a qualifying event for the 2004 Olympic Games, with the winner earning the continental berth in Athens in 2004.