de Vries adds Laura Gebhart to field hockey staff

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University field hockey team and head coach Joppe de Vries are excited to welcome Laura Gebhart as the Bulldogs' new assistant field hockey coach.

"I'm extremely happy that Laura is going to be our new assistant coach," said de Vries. "After a stellar career as a student-athlete at Penn State, Laura was part of the national set-up in Lancaster. In both opportunities, she has gained tremendous experience as a player, as a leader, and as a person, which I know Bryant field hockey will benefit from. She is a competitor and knows what it takes to be successful as a student and she will get the most out of our athletes."

Gebhart comes to Bryant after spending this past season as a member of the field hockey staff at the University of Vermont. While at UVM, Gebhart assisted with practice planning and on-field instruction as well as providing game-day support to staff and players.

"I'm incredibly excited to be joining the Bulldogs," said Gebhart. "I look forward to working with the dedicated student-athletes and joining Joppe to continue the program's trajectory toward success."

Before coaching at the collegiate level, Gebhart was heavily involved with youth teams as she led the Manheim Central High School for two seasons. While at the high school level, she put an emphasis on player development, interscholastic success, and student-athlete engagement and empowerment. Gebhart balanced her high school squad with the U19 Lanco Premier Field Hockey Club team as well as assisting with Next Level Field Hockey Camps and Clinics.

Gebhart also had a one-year stint with the USA Field Hockey Futures Program where she implemented USA Field Hockey curriculum at Level I Futures site while also assisting in player development at a high-performance level. Gebhart's involvement with USA Field Hockey dates back to 2013 when she was a Women's National Field Hockey Athlete for three years. During her time with USA Field Hockey, Gebhart earned her Level I & II Coaching Certificates.

A 2015 graduate from Penn State with a B.S. in Community, Environment, and Development, Gebhart was a four-year member of the field hockey program. While at PSU, Gebhart helped lead the Nittany Lions to three-straight NCAA Tournament appearances and two BIG TEN titles.

"I am so excited for Laura to return to the coaching ranks," Penn State head coach Charlene Morett-Curtiss said. "She is a natural teacher of the game with tremendous insight into developing young players. Her passion for field hockey and coaching will quickly be noticeable and impactful to Bryant. Laura has a keen awareness of academic and athletic balance, excellence and integrity which she will bring to Bryant Field Hockey."