Feb. 1, 2010

STANFORD, Calif.- Caitlin McCurdy, a member of three NCAA Tournament teams during her playing career at Iowa, has joined the Stanford field hockey staff as a volunteer assistant coach.

McCurdy enjoyed a successful playing career with the Hawkeyes from 2005-08, helping guide Iowa to an NCAA Final Four appearance during her senior year while advancing to the postseason in 2006 and 2007.

"We are very excited to have Caitlin join the staff," said head coach Lesley Irvine. "She had an outstanding career as a student-athlete at Iowa and is eager to begin her coaching career. We are excited to have her contribute right away."

A native of Mountain Top, Pa., McCurdy was a two-time Second Team NFHCA West Regional All-American and two-time Second Team All-Big Ten selection. She was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2005 and established career-high totals in goals (15), assists (6) and points (36) during her senior season.

McCurdy earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Iowa in 2009.

A member of the 2006-08 U.S. Under-21 team and 2007 HPTC Midwest Region squad, McCurdy also has experience as a Futures Regional coach in addition to coaching at the high school and club levels. She is also currently the head coach and site director at Stanford for the USA Futures program.

As a prepster, McCurdy led Crestwood High School to back-to-back Class AA state titles during her junior and senior seasons (2003, 2004). During those same years, McCurdy was tabbed first team all-state, all-regional and All-American while also leading her team to a 26-0 finish in 2004. A National Futures Tournament participant in 2003 and 2004, McCurdy traveled overseas with the USFHA Future Elite squad in 2004. She was also a four-year letterwinner in soccer.

Stanford (17-5, 5-1 NorPac) enjoyed its best season in program history in 2009, establishing a school record with 17 victories. The Cardinal captured the NorPac Tournament championship for the third straight season and remained a fixture in the national rankings for more than two months. Stanford won its second NCAA Play-In game in three seasons and reached the NCAA Tournament for the ninth time in school history. Stanford's record-setting season was due in large part to its high-powered offense, as the Cardinal established single-season school records in goals (87), assists (60), points (234) and shots (410).