Wake Forest Athletics
Daan Polders Hired As Assistant Field Hockey Coach
3/16/2005 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
March 16, 2005
Winston-Salem, NC - Wake Forest head field hockey coach Jennifer Averill announces the hiring of Daan Polders as the Deacons' new assistant coach. Polders joins the staff after a four year stint with Michigan State, where he helped lead the Spartans to a combined 74-18 record and four straight NCAA Tournament appearances.
"We are very pleased that Daan is joining us, we know he brings a tremendous amount of knowledge to the program as well as an international flair. He has proven at Michigan State to have a very positive impact upon the staff and players both as a coach and as a person. We look forward to the spring season as well as kicking off the 2005 season with Daan."
Polders will focus primarily on player and team development, including technical and tactical advancements and he will assist in the administrative duties as well, including officials, travel and budgetary items.
Polders spent the last four years as an assistant at Michigan State University. In 2004, the Spartans finished 18-4, losing in the NCAA semifinals to Duke. The team was ranked in the top-ten the entire season and reached the No.1 ranking after jumping out to a perfect 8-0 start. Ironically, the Deacons handed the Spartans their first loss of the season.
In 2003, the Spartans went 17-5 and made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The 2002 season was the best in program history. At 23-3, the Spartans lost in the NCAA semifinals to Wake Forest. In 2001, Michigan State finished 16-6, losing in second round of NCAA Tournament.
Prior to his coaching stint with the Spartans, Polders served as a consultant in finance and insurance services.
Polders' playing resume is extensive as well. He played field hockey in the Dutch Major League, as well as for the Dutch National Army Team. As a Dutch International player, he saw action with some of the best players in the world, competing against England, Spain, France, Russia and Germany.
Polders, who has been an active coach among youth and adult teams, was selected by the United States Field Hockey Association as the head coach of the Midwest Cyclones in the Summer League, which is made up of members of the U.S. National Under-21 and Under-19 Teams and selected players from Division I programs. Polders has also been involved as head coach for US Field Hockey's A and B Camps since 2003.
