Field Hockey Coach Named Interim Leader of National Squad

After finishing just one season at the helm of the Harvard field hockey program, head coach Tjerk van Herwaarden has been named the interim head coach for the U.S. women’s national team. The first-year coach will head up the Team USA’s training camp in Chula Vista, CA. Van Herwaarden will oversee the national team as Craig Parnham, the newly appointed women’s national team head coach, takes time to move from his native England to the United States.USA’s training camp will commence on January 28th, as the women’s national team prepares for the International Hockey Federation’s World League Round 2, held in early March in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Van Herwaarden has prior experience working with the American national teams. He was an assistant coach on the men’s side in 2007 through 2009. Prior to joining the Harvard coaching staff, he was an assistant coach at the University of Maryland, where he saw the Terrapins win five national championships during his tenure.

In a season full of injuries and some close calls, Van Herwaarden led Harvard to a 3-13 overall record and a tie for seventh place with Brown at the bottom of the Ivy League standings.