Drew University Women's Field Hockey

Nyland joins Jess Grays Drew University field hockey coaching staff as an assistant in 2015. A successful Division I field hockey player at Hofstra University, Nyland takes her first collegiate coaching job after building eight years of coaching experience at the VIP Field Hockey Academy.   A college midfielder and defender for the Pride, Nyland proved extremely durable by playing in every Hofstra game during her four years. She graduated in 2012 after serving as team captain during her senior season and specializing in penalty corners and penalty strokes.   Starting in 2008, Nyland started her foray into coaching at the VIP Field Hockey Academy. There she worked with multiple high schools in the New Jersey area to develop individual skills and team strategies, while planning and executing practice plans and conditioning programs.   Nyland has worked one-on-one with athletes and in a team setting at the USFHA Futures Programs, as well as Hofstra field hockey camps and clinics and personal training lessons.   She holds a Level I certification in USFHA Field Hockey training. Nyland currently resides in Washington, N.J.  

Gray's hiring as the 11th head coach in program history on July 29, 2015.   Gray inherits a Rangers team that has made the Landmark Conference Championship Tournament in five of the last six seasons and returns the conference Rookie of the Year in in 2015.   Drew will be Gray's second destination as a head coach after serving in that capacity at Sweet Briar College from 2009-14. In addition to head coaching duties which included budget management, fundraising, practice planning, recruiting, retention, community service, and game day management Gray also worked as a lecturer and assistant sports information director for the Vixens' athletic department.   "I am so grateful for this opportunity to lead the field hockey program at Drew University," Gray said. "There is a standard of excellence and a rich history of successful hockey. I am looking forward to working with the team and getting Drew back to the top of the conference. I would like to thank and the search committee for hiring me. I am excited to become a Ranger and to take this team in a new direction."   Gray brings to Madison a commitment to creating a championship culture that was born during her time as a Division III student-athlete. A 2008 graduate of Ursinus College, she was a two-time All-American goalkeeper and a 2006 National Champion for the Bears. Other accolades include three Centennial Conference First Team selections, a trip to the 2007 NCAA Division III All-Star Game, an NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Goalkeeper distinction in 2006, and the honor of 2008 Ursinus College Senior Female Athlete of the Year.   "We are excited to welcome Jess Gray to Drew," Fein said. "She is a proven leader and knows what it takes to be successful both on the field as a player and coach, as well as off the field, in the classroom, and in life. Our student-athletes will certainly benefit from her experience and knowledge."   Gray spent the last year as an athletic recruiter and admissions visit coordinator at Unity College. There she created a one, three, and five-year recruiting plan for athletics where there was not one previously. She successfully changed the culture on campus about athletics, recruited new student-athletes, and set up campus visits, tours, overnights, and meetings with professors.   She cut her teeth in the collegiate coaching world in 2008 as a member of the field hockey coaching staff at Gettysburg College. During the past 12 summers, Gray has also worked at the Eastern Field Hockey Camp in Pennsylvania, including a three-year stint as the Goalkeeping Director. Gray was responsible for designing curriculum, developing schedules, running drills, and directing a staff of coaches.   Field hockey instruction began at an early age for Gray, who participated in the USFHA Futures program as an assistant coach from 2005-08. She additionally coached at the Central Bucks Field Hockey Camp from 2004-10.   Gray has a bachelor of science in exercise sports science from Ursinus and possesses a USA Field Hockey Level 1 Coaches Certification.. She is currently enrolled in a masters program to earn her MBA from King University. Alma Mater: Career Record: