Michigan State University Athletics
Knull Added to Field Hockey Staff
3/9/2006 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
March 9, 2006
East Lansing, Mich - Helen Knull was recently named as the assistant field hockey coach at Michigan State, beginning duties in March. Knull arrives in East Lansing from Kent State, where she served as an assistant coach for two years and as an associate head coach last season. Knull was a four-year starter and a two-time All-American at Kent State, leading the Golden Flashes to the NCAA tournament four straight years (1999-2002).
"I am thrilled to be joining the coaching staff at Michigan State," Knull stated. "I am excited to be a part of the future of the field hockey program, which has had a rich winning tradition and an even brighter future. I would like to thank Rolf van de Kerkhof and the administration at Michigan State for this opportunity. Rolf has a passion for the sport which rubs off on his team and I am honored to be a part of the Spartan family. Coaching in the Big Ten has always been a dream of mine and now I am ready to embrace all that the Big Ten conference has to offer."
While coaching at Kent State, Knull helped guide the Golden Flashes to two Mid-American conference championships (2003, 2005), cultivating the development of two Freshmen of the Year and one MAC Player of the Year recipients. In addition to her experience at Kent State, Knull has worked as a regional coaching director for Region Nine of the United States Field Hockey Futures Program, serving as the site director from 2002-2005. Knull also has coached at several camps across the nation, including Ohio State, Rutgers, Michigan State and Champions Edge.
"I am very excited to welcome Helen to MSU and to our program, she will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise, head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof said. "Helen knows what it takes to succeed as a student-athlete and as a coach, both on and off the field. She will specialize in defense and in film breakdown on our opponents and work extensivley with our recruiting."
A native of Glasgow, Scotland, Knull earned a degree in sport management with a minor in coaching from Kent State in 2003, completing a master's degree in sport management in 2004. Knull is married to Justin Knull, a middle school math teacher and wrestling coach.
