Franklin Pierce Names Guiney 
Head Field Hockey and 
Women’s Lacrosse Coach
1999 URI graduate takes over Ravens programs
after successful run at Worcester State College

RINDGE, N.H. (June 22, 2006) – Franklin Pierce has named Meighan Guiney as head coach of both the field hockey and women’s lacrosse programs at the College. The announcement was made today by Bruce Kirsh, Vice President and Director of Athletics at the College, and confirmed by President Dr. George J. Hagerty.

            Guiney takes over for Judy Heddy at Franklin Pierce, who resigned after ten years at the helm of both programs in April. The Ravens field hockey team posted a 7-12 record in 2005, including a 5-11 mark in the Northeast-10 Conference, while the women’s lacrosse team concluded its second-straight winless season at 0-15 (0-10 NE-10).

            “I am pleased and excited to have Meighan Guiney as our new head women’s field hockey and lacrosse coach,” said Kirsh. “The success she has had in the recent past at Worcester State College is an example of what I believe she can and will bring to our programs. I expect her to make an immediate impact in the overall improvement in both our teams.”            

Guiney has served multiple roles with both the Worcester State field hockey and lacrosse programs since graduating from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts and Sciences (journalism major) in 1999. She served as head coach of the Lancers field hockey program since 2001, posting a record of 56-43 (.566) in five seasons, leading the team to three ECAC Division III Tournament appearances (2001, 2002, 2004). Guiney was WSC’s assistant coach for two seasons prior to taking over as head coach.

            Guiney was also named head coach of the women’s lacrosse program at Worcester State in 2004 after two years as the assistant coach. She led the Lancers to an 18-25 (.419) record, capped by a 9-6 mark this past spring in which the team were runners up in the New England Women’s Lacrosse Association with a 5-1 record.

            Guiney also gained experience as an assistant field hockey coach for two seasons at Salve Regina University in Newport, R.I., while completing her undergraduate degree at URI, as well as head freshman girl’s basketball coach at Notre Dame Academy in Worcester. Guiney has spent time instructing at several field hockey camps and clinics, including Guiney’s Performance Field Hockey Camp in her hometown of Rutland, Mass., which she created.

             “I’m honored to have the opportunity to work at Franklin Pierce,” said Guiney. “While I am sad to be leaving Worcester State, this is an important step for me to grow as a person and coach with the step up to a Division II school. I know I have my work cut out for me, but after meeting with the staff and some of the players at Franklin Pierce, I already have my vision in place.”

            Guiney was a three-year letterwinner for the University of Rhode Island field hockey team, earning URI’s Team Senior Award in 1995.

            Guiney will start her duties at Franklin Pierce on July 3.