Coach Judy Heddy resigns

by David Vishniac
Exchange Staff Writer

     Judy Heddy, the head coach of the Lady Ravens' field hockey and lacrosse teams, has announced that she will step down from her posts at the end of the 2006 lacrosse season.

     Heddy, who is also the Assistant Athletic Director, will resign on May 1, informing Athletic Director Bruce Kirsh of her decision on April 12th.  "She thought it was time to move on in another opportunity, and she felt there needed to be a new face coaching the teams," said Kirsh.  "I wish her the best in the future."

     Heddy has worked at the College for ten years and has also held the position of Senior Woman Advisor as well as the overseer of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.  "Judy has been a capable employee in terms of development for the field hockey and lacrosse teams," Kirsh said.  "She has contributed in a positive way both as a coach and an administrator."

     Angela Barone, a junior on the field hockey team, praised Heddy for her work.  "Coach Heddy was very supportive, and was there to support us and work with us when we needed it," she said.  Barone also said that the team would like a coach similar to Heddy.  "I hope that the new coach is as supportive as Coach Heddy is.  She is there for us on and off the field, and it makes the team closer to her."

     Sophomore Alison Daday, a forward on the field hockey squad, thinks it might be hard to become accustomed to a new coach.  "We are all very close to Coach Heddy's coaching style, and I think to adjust to another coach and her coaching style could affect our play [and other things]," Daday said.

     Heddy was named the first head coach of the field hockey team in 1997, the first year that the team was officially a varsity team at the college.  She also became the second head coach of the women's lacrosse team in program history in 1998.

     As field hockey coach, Heddy has earned a record of 53-93, including going 11-7 in the program's first NE-10 season.  As the women's lacrosse coach, Heddy has posted a record of 14-96, including making the playoffs in 2003, the only time so far in program history that the team has made it into the postseason.

     According to Kirsh, the college will look for "someone as good or better in a national search" as soon as the academic year is over.  Heddy was not available for comment at press time.

     The women's lacrosse team has four games remaining in the 2006 season, with an overall record of 0-11 and a record of 0-8 in the Northeast-10 Conference.  The season finale is Saturday, April 29th at Saint Anselm College at 1 p.m.  The final home game for the Lady Ravens this season is on Friday, April 21st against L.I.U-C.W. Post at 6 p.m.  The home game will be broadcast live on The Raven 105.3 WFPC-LP as well as on the webcast at www.franklinpierce.edu/athletics.