Helen Knull Position: Assistant Coach Experience: Second Year E-mail: hknull@ath.msu.edu

Second-year assistant coach Helen Knull arrived in East Lansing in 2006 from Kent State, where she served as an assistant coach for two years and as an associate head coach during her last season on that staff (2005). 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). In 2002, Knull was named Mid-American Conference player of the year.

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, and United States Field Hockey High School Open.

"I am very excited to welcome Helen to MSU and to our program. She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise," head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof said at the time of her hiring. "Helen knows what it takes to succeed as a student-athlete and as a coach, both on and off the fi eld. She will specialize in defense and in fi lm breakdown on our opponents and work extensively 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. She is married to Justin Knull, a middle school math teacher and football coach.