February 1, 2008
FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University interim Director of Athletics Troy Austin has announced the retirement of field hockey head coach Nancy Joel, effective immediately. She will serve as a special assistant to the AD through April 9. Joel was 84-99-1 through 10 years with the program, including an overall record of 6-16 this past fall (2007), 2-4 in the Northern Pacific Field Hockey Conference (NorPac). Longwood will conduct a national search for a new head coach, during which time assistant coach Iain Byers is serving as interim head coach.
“Longwood is in great appreciation of Nancy Joel for her efforts and dedication to this institution,” said Austin. “During her time, Coach Joel has led the Longwood Field Hockey program into Division I and has had a positive impact on her student-athletes, providing a great foundation for the next head coach. Coach Joel will be missed and we wish her the best in her future endeavors.”
Joel took over at Longwood in 1998 and in 2000, led the program to a record of 15-5, including the prestigious Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) Tournament Championship that year -- the school’s first-ever ECAC Title. She was selected the 2000 Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) College Division State Coach of the Year. Joel also led the Lancers to ECAC Tournament appearances following both the 1998 and 1999 campaigns when the program finished 11-6 and 13-8, respectively. She previously was a member of the Division II field hockey committee, as well as chair of the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division II All-America committee.
“I feel I have done what I set out to do as Longwood’s head field hockey coach,” explained Joel. “We had significant success as a Division II team. With tremendous support from the University, we built one of the best field hockey facilities in the country. We have done the due diligence to become a serious competitor at the now Division I level. We have secured a competitive conference and met expectations for being a serious contender for competition honors. With the groundwork laid, it is now time to step aside and allow someone else to take the Lancers to the next level while I go on to pursue other interests both professionally and geographically.
“I extend my sincere thanks to all members of the Longwood community for the help I have received, and count myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work in such a supportive environment.”
Joel joined Longwood in 1996 as an assistant coach, following three years with the Jamaican National Team. She was the National Director of Coaching for three seasons in Jamaica before becoming head coach in April of 1996. During her time with the Jamaican National Team, Joel was also an assistant coach at Fairfield University. She has international field hockey experience as well with both England and Jamaica participating in the World Cup, Pan American Games, and European Championships.
Joel is a native of Ipswich, England and was a high school physical education teacher in England for 21 years prior to her tenure in Jamaica and arrival at Longwood.
