Feb. 24, 2014
- Read the latest issue of Hawk Talk Monthly
- Iowa Field Hockey Media Guide
- USA Field Hockey
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye iPhone/iPad app!
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye Android app!
- Download your Hawk Talk Monthly iOS app
- Download your Hawk Talk Monthly android app
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Michael Boal has been named assistant field hockey coach at the University of Iowa, head coach Tracey Griesbaum announced today.
“Michael is a wonderful addition to our coaching staff,” said Griesbaum. “He has a wealth of experience, both internationally, and at the NCAA Division I level. His technical abilities will be put to use immediately in our spring season. I am looking forward to working with Michael and Lisa (Cellucci) as we mold this Hawkeye team into conference contenders.”
“I am extremely pleased to be joining the University of Iowa and its first class field hockey program,” said Boal. “I look forward to working alongside Tracey and Lisa in developing exceptional student-athletes.”
Boal most recently worked at James Madison, where he joined the staff as associate head coach in July of 2013. He was named interim head coach in October of 2013, and served in that role for the remainder of the 2013 season, leading the Dukes to a 4-2 finish and a tie for third in the Colonial Athletic Association. Boal also served as an assistant coach for the Dukes during the 2010 season, coaching goalkeepers and playing a key role in recruiting efforts.
In between his two stops at James Madison, Boal spent two seasons as the associate head coach at Virginia, helping lead the Cavaliers to the 2012 NCAA Tournament.
The Sunderland, England, native served as the assistant director of hockey at Durham University in the United Kingdom prior to coaching at the NCAA Division I level. He was responsible for the coaching and development of both men’s and women’s performance groups, recruiting across Europe, match preparation, video analysis, and conducting coaching and evaluation sessions for all 16 intramural college teams.
At Durham University Boal assisted Gavin Featherstone, a renowned double Olympic and World Cup head coach for the USA and South Africa field hockey teams. They led the men’s and women’s teams at Durham to top-10 rankings amongst United Kingdom universities, and won National North Conference Championships and Northern Division One Championships in 2010.
Before joining the staff at Durham, Boal coached at the Olton & West Warwick’s Hockey Club for four years. He was involved in all aspects of the management of the women’s first and second teams, including daily planning and conducting of practice, and physical training. He coached the women’s first team in the prominent English National Premier League at the age of 20, making Boal the youngest ever to coach a women’s team in the League.
While at Olton & West Warwick’s, Boal also coached players with national and international representative honors, including two 2008 Olympians for Great Britain. He developed three representatives for the Junior World Cup and two under-18 Internationals.
Boal graduated with honors from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom in June of 2009. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sports management and was an ambassador for the university. Boal made four British University Finals Appearances as a player and coach and was part of their 2006-07 National League winning side.