June 25, 2008

YORK, PA-York College has announced that field hockey coach Megan Eckenrode has resigned her position to pursue other professional opportunities at Dickinson College, effective immediately.

Eckenrode has been the Spartans’ head coach the last two season and departs with an overall record of 18-24. The Spartans went 12-9 in her first year at the helm but York struggled with a significantly upgraded schedule in 2007 as they posted a mark of 6-15.

Spartan Asst. Dean for Athletics and Recreation Sean Sullivan was sorry to see Eckenrode leave her post.

“Coach Eckenrode proved to many that she is a capable and compassionate young coach,” stated Sullivan. “She was given a challenging task and did everything that was asked of her. We are grateful for the commitment she has shown to her alma mater. She will have tremendous success as her career progresses.”

Eckenrode is excited about her new opportunities but will also miss her Spartan squad.

“I will miss the kids and the program,” said Eckenrode. “This team has such strong potential both on and off the field. These ladies are dedicated and motivated to succeed. I think that they will respond well to a new head coach. I have really enjoyed my time with York College both as a player and as a coach and will always remember what a tremendous opportunity that I had coaching for such an up and coming athletic department. I am excited to begin a new chapter in my life at Dickinson College but I will never forget the green and white."

Eckenrode became the Spartan head coach the season after she completed a stellar four - year career as the Spartan goaltender. For her career, Eckenrode finished with the top four save totals in school history while her 1.52 goals against average is also the tops in the school record book. Eckenrode played 5,402:34 of a possible 5,419:03 minutes over the course of her four years in York. She also posted a school-record 18 shutouts for the green and white.

She was the fifth field hockey coach in the 42 years of the program but was the third in three years when she took the helm of the program.

The Spartans will conduct a national search for Eckenrode’s replacement starting immediately. The new head coach will have a strong core of returning players in addition to a strong recruiting class as the Spartans should have the chance for a strong 2008 campaign.