Krempa Named Head Field Hockey Coach

LANCASTER, Pa. - Patricia S.W. Epps, Director of Athletics and Recreation, has announced the appointment of Melissa Krempa as the head field hockey coach at Franklin & Marshall College. She becomes the 12th coach in Diplomat field hockey history and succeeds Beth Walkenbach, who assumed administrative duties in January after the conclusion of her second year.

"We had a such a tremendous pool of applicants," said Epps. "However, Melissa established herself as the most natural fit to lead our young women on the field and in our community."

Krempa joins the Diplomat staff after spending four years as the assistant field hockey coach, and strength and conditioning coordinator at William Smith College. During her tenure, she led the Herons to four consecutive Liberty League championships and four trips to the NCAA tournament, including the Final Four one year. Krempa also coached four First-Team All-Americans, and two Liberty League Rookies of the Year, along with numerous regional All-Americans and first team all-league selections.

A 2004 graduate of Middlebury College, Krempa enjoyed an exceptional career as a four-year starter on the field hockey squad. She was named a First-Team All-American and Academic All-American her senior year, leading the Panthers to the NESCAC title and the NCAA tournament championship game. That year, she scored six goals and assisted on four others, finishing third on the team with 16 points. Krempa's efforts in the NCAA Tournament earned her a spot on the All-Tournament Team and she was also named the womensfieldhockey.com Player of the Year.

In 2003, Krempa was a part of a team that set Middlebury records for wins (19), winning percentage (.950), winning streak (19), and goals in a season (71), while tying the school mark with seven shutouts. In 2004, she was named the Deborah Parton Memorial Award winner, presented to the Middlebury female athlete who exemplifies spirit and dedication, as well as the 2003 Panther Contribution Award for efforts on and off the hockey field and the 2002 Unsung Hero Award.

In addition to field hockey, Krempa also was a member of the Middlebury Division I Alpine ski team for two seasons, and spent another season as a member of the varsity golf team. From 1999-2001, she spent her summers facilitating groups through team building exercises such as indoor rock climbing, outdoor high and low ropes and various other challenges at the Adirondack Center in St. Johnsville, NY.

"I am thrilled to begin my head coaching career at Franklin & Marshall," said Krempa. "I am eager to start working with the team and continuing the strong field hockey tradition at such a wonderful athletic and academic institution."

A native of Johnstown, NY, Krempa graduated cum laude from Middlebury in 2004 with bachelor's degrees in history and psychology. She presented an Honors Thesis in History, "The `Woman Question': Exploring the Havoc it Wreaked on the Antebellum Abolition Movement" and presented advanced research in Psychology, "Looking Beyond the Lab: How Does Alcohol Myopia Manifest Itself in the Real World?"

Krempa will fulfill her obligations at William Smith College before assuming her new post in Lancaster this May. The current assistant coaches, Melissa Shultz and Carrie Temple, will carry the program through the spring.