Worcester, MA --- Director of Athletics Sue Chapman has announced Susie Whelan as the new head coach of the Worcester State University field hockey team. Whelan becomes the 10th head coach since the program was established in 1970 as she replaces Abby Sallila who resigned this past spring.

"We are extremely excited to have Susie join our staff," said Chapman. "She will bring a tremendous amount of experience and enthusiasm to field hockey program. We look forward to her contributions in the upcoming season."

Whelan comes to the Lancers after previously serving as an assistant field hockey coach at Boston College. While at BC, Whelan helped lead the squad to a 12-7 record, finishing fourth in the ACC regular season standings. Whelan was also responsible for administrative aspects of the program including travel, game day logistics, recruiting, scouting and the operating the BC field hockey camps and clinics.

Before her stop at Chestnut Hill, Whelan was an assistant field hockey coach and goalkeeping coach at Holy Cross from 2007-10. In addition serving as the assistant camps and clinics director, Whelan was in charge of travel, film duties, alumni and fundraising efforts. Whelan helped goalkeeper Erin Singleton earn Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year accolades in 2007 and 2008.

Whelan was also a standout midfielder/back for the Crusaders from 2003-06 as three of her four squads were runners-up in the Patriot League. Whelan was an All-Patriot League selection in her junior and senior year while she earned NFHCA Second-Team All-New England accolades in 2006.

At Holy Cross, Whelan was also recognized as the team's Rookie of the Year in 2003, the squads Unsung Hero in 2005 and the team MVP in 2006. She finished her four seasons tied for fifth on the all-time list with 20 assists.

In addition to her experience with numerous area camps and clinics at Tufts, Worcester State and Northeastern, Whelan has been active as a head coach for both the Worcester County Field Hockey Academy and the US Field Hockey Futures program.

Whelan has her Level II US Field Hockey Coaching Accreditation as she is also a member of the Alliance for Women Coaches, US Field Hockey, the NFHCA and she is a recent graduate of the NCAA Women's Coaching Academy 2011 class.

Whelan, a native of Acton, MA, holds her BA in Visual Arts from Holy Cross and she is currently finishing up her Masters in Administrative Studies at Boston College.