By Josh Wagner //
The Hood College field hockey program has added former Division II National Player of the Year Jady Van Gils to its staff as an assistant coach for the 2025 season.
Van Gils comes from a decorated playing background at East Stroudsburg University, where she helped the Warriors win two national championships and earn multiple conference titles.
She said her decision to join Hood was influenced by her immediate connection with head coach Carley Shannon.
“I thought it was important to find a good connection with a head coach, and I got that great connection with Coach Carley right away from the start,” Van Gils said.
Van Gils noted that Hood’s recent growth and the eagerness of the players also drew her to the position.
“I looked into the program and the school, and it looked like a very successful, growing program,” she said. “I love what Coach Carley has done. The girls are so eager to learn, which is something I love to work with.”
A native of the Netherlands, Van Gils has been involved in field hockey since childhood.
“I’ve played since I was 4 years old. I love the sport, and I coached back in the Netherlands for three to four years,” she said.
Her journey eventually brought her to the United States.
“Once I was 17, I came to the U.S., and it was like a dream for me as a little girl to play here,” she said. “After college, I knew I wanted to stay in the sport. I love how the U.S. cares about field hockey. I even did voluntary coaching for a local indoor club team.”
At East Stroudsburg, Van Gils earned national recognition. She was named National Player of the Year in both 2023 and 2024 and is currently a nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year award.
“There are so many people out there who are deserving of that award,” she said.
Reflecting on her college career, she described both team and individual accomplishments.
“My sophomore year we won the national championship and the conference championship, and I was named first-team All-American,” she said. “My junior year, we went back-to-back as conference champions and finished as national runner-up. That year, I earned a lot of personal achievements, including being a two-time national player of the year.”
Looking ahead, Van Gils said the coaching staff has clear expectations.
“Making it to the postseason is our number one goal,” she said. “Coach Carley and I have full trust in this team to be able to do it. The drive these girls have to make it to the postseason is insane.”
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