Heddy Resigns Posts 
at Franklin Pierce
Ravens administrator, field hockey 
and lacrosse coach resigns effective May 1

RINDGE, N.H. (April 14, 2006) – Judy Heddy, Assistant Athletic Director and Head Coach of field hockey and women’s lacrosse at Franklin Pierce, has announced her resignation, effective May 1. The resignation was accepted by Bruce Kirsh, Vice President and Director of Athletics at the College, on Wednesday.

            Heddy steps down after ten years at Franklin Pierce in a variety of roles, mainly as the first field hockey head coach since the program was reinstated as a club team in 1996 before moving to full varsity status in 1997. She also took over as the second women’s lacrosse coach in the program’s second year of existence in 1998. Heddy has also served as the College’s Assistant Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator, and has also overseen the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) at Franklin Pierce since 2001.

            “It has been a pleasure to be a part of the Franklin Pierce community for the past ten years,” states Heddy. “During that time I have seen a lot of growth on this campus in both programming and facilities. The addition of Sodexho Field has been a great asset, not just for the field hockey and lacrosse teams. As a coach and administrator, I have had the opportunity to work with some wonderful young people. I have decided to leave the College at this time so that I can pursue other interests.”

            In nine years at the helm of the field hockey program, Heddy posted a 53-93 (.363) overall record, including a 35-42 (.455) mark in the Northeast-10 since Franklin Pierce joined the Conference in 2000. In the Ravens inaugural NE-10 season, they posted an 11-7 record, including a 7-2 mark in Conference play – good for fourth place. The Ravens made their first of two-straight NE-10 Tournament appearances and also accepted a bid to the ECAC Division II Championships.

            Heddy oversaw a program that produced one All-American, one Academic All-American, seven All-Northeast-10 performers and numerous National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Academic Squad members. Last fall, the Ravens were one of 14 NCAA Division II field hockey programs with a team grade point average of 3.0 or above and earned NFCA Academic Squad status for the first time in program history.

            In nine years at the helm of the women’s lacrosse program, Heddy has posted a 14-94 (.130) record. Franklin Pierce has posted a 7-43 (.140) mark in Conference play since joining the Northeast-10 prior to the 2001 season. Franklin Pierce made its lone postseason appearance in 2003 after earning a sixth place finish in the NE-10.

            The program produced three All-Conference selections, including one first team pick, and numerous Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) All-Academic members under Heddy’s leadership. In 2003, the program posted the top grade point average in all of Division II earning Merit Squad status by the IWLCA for the first time in program history. The Ravens have annually been listed as a Division II member with a team GPA over 3.0.

            Franklin Pierce’s women’s lacrosse team (0-9, 0-6 NE-10) has six matches remaining on its schedule, including Saturday’s contest with No. 3 Stonehill College at 1 p.m. The Ravens season concludes Saturday, April 29, at Saint Anselm College (1 p.m.).

            “On behalf of the Franklin Pierce community, I want to thank Judy for her contribution to the athletics program,” states Kirsh. “Coach Heddy always conducted her responsibilities in the most professional manner and she will be missed by those who had the opportunity to work with her.”

            A search for Heddy’s replacement will begin immediately with the hope of filling the position by June 1.