Michigan State University Athletics
Durante Joins Field Hockey Staff as Assistant Coach
5/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Michigan State field hockey coach Helen Knull has announced the hiring of Tamara Durante as an assistant coach. The former Yale associate head coach begins her duties on May 12.
"I am excited to introduce Tamara Durante as the newest member of the Michigan State coaching staff," said Knull. "She is no stranger to the Midwest, as she coached for four years at Ohio University before spending the last 10 seasons at Yale. Tamara's passion for coaching is contagious and she will be bringing 14 years of knowledge and experience to our program. Tamara has been involved with USA Field Hockey as an assistant coach with the Junior National teams, and most recently was in Belgium with the U19's in April."
"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join Helen's staff, the team and Spartan family," said Durante. "I am truly honored that Michigan State is giving me the opportunity to coach in one of the best conferences in the country. I look forward to helping Helen lead the Spartans to more Big Ten Championships as we strive for a National Title."
Durante comes to MSU after ten seasons at Yale University. Serving as an assistant coach from 2005 to 2010, Durante was promoted to associate head coach in 2010, spearheading recruiting efforts while working mainly with goalkeepers and forwards.
At Yale, Durante tutored five All-Ivy League goalkeeper selections while helping the Bulldogs increase their season goal totals for six straight years, including a school-record 69 goals in 2011 en route to earning a share of the Ivy League title.
In addition to her work at Yale, Durante also is involved with the United States Field Hockey Association (USFHA). She won a gold medal as an assistant coach for the Under-21 U.S. team at the Junior Pan American Games in October of 2008. Durante has coached in the Futures Program since 2002 and served as the Great Lakes Regional Futures Director from 2003-05. She has selected athletes for various USFHA programs, including the Under-16 national team and Futures Elite. Durante coached at the Junior Olympics from 2006-2008 and 2010-2013, winning a gold medal in 2012. Most recently, Durante served as an assistant coach for the USA Under-19 National Team in Belgium.
Prior to Yale, Durante worked as a head coach for Quebec Field Hockey and as a video technician for Field Hockey Canada before transitioning to an assistant field hockey coach at Ohio University in 2001.
A native of Lachine, Quebec, Durante is a 2000 graduate of the University of Alberta and was a five-year starter for the field hockey team there. She helped the Pandas to a silver medal in the CIAU Championship in 1997 and bronze medals in 1996 and 1999.
