King Named Wellesley College Field Hockey Coach

WELLESLEY, Mass. – Wellesley College Director of Athletics Bridget Belgiovine is pleased to announce the hiring of Julia King as Head Field Hockey Coach and PERA Assistant Professor of the Practice, following a nationwide search. 

King comes to Wellesley after two years as an assistant field hockey coach for Trinity College, helping to guide the Bantams to a 25-10 record and a trip to the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals in 2009. She also serves as an assistant coach for the nationally-ranked Trinity lacrosse team, which currently boasts an undefeated regular season. 

"I was drawn to Wellesley because of the talented and driven student-athletes who balance their impressive academic endeavors with their commitment to a team," added King. "My time at Bowdoin, and subsequently as a coach at Trinity, has taught me the importance of being a 'student-athlete' in every sense of the word, and Wellesley will be the perfect place to pass on this invaluable philosophy." 

At Trinity, King was responsible for individual skill development, as well as overall team strategy and practice planning. She recruited top student-athletes to the program and was responsible for evaluating talent, managing databases, scheduling visits and meeting with the Admissions Office. 

"As a first-year head coach, I am humbled by the opportunity to work with a program that has such a strong field hockey tradition," said King. "I believe that we can continue to raise the bar for an already successful program and establish ourselves as a formidable opponent in the NEWMAC and on the national stage."

King also added several other departmental duties to her list of responsibilities at Trinity, including teaching fitness and squash classes in the Physical Education curriculum.  She also served as the Prevention Facilitator for the Bantam Athletes Negate Traditional Stereotypes (BANTS) Program, coordinating with the Women and Gender Resource Center.

A highly successful two-sport athlete at Bowdoin College, King played on two NCAA National Champion field hockey squads. She was a first-team All-America selection in both 2007 and 2008 and holds the Bowdoin record for career and single season assists. As a member of the ice hockey team, she was named to the All-NESCAC Sportsmanship Team and won the Founder's Award, given to the player who "exemplifies the qualities of enthusiasm, dedication, and perseverance." A Neuroscience major, King served as captain of both teams in her senior year. 

"Julia brings an exceptional academic and athletics background that has prepared her to assume the leadership role as the head coach of our field hockey program and as a faculty member in the PERA department," stated Belgiovine. "Her commitment to education and her passion for academic and athletics excellence was paramount in her appointment. I am confident that she will instill a culture of confidence and competitive success, serving as a role model for all students at Wellesley."

King, a Yarmouth, Maine, native, will earn her masters degree in Public Policy from Trinity in May.  She will begin her duties at Wellesley on June 1st.