Varsity Blues name new field hockey coach Fraser is alum, team veteran

November 22, 2006

Source: University of Toronto
http://www.news.utoronto.ca/bin6/061122-2756.asp

The Varsity Blues have appointed former national team member and Varsity Blues alumna Erin Fraser as field hockey head coach. After serving one season as an assistant on the Blues coaching staff, Fraser becomes the seventh Toronto head coach since the start of intercollegiate field hockey in 1963. She replaces long-time head coach Beth Ali, who announced her retirement Nov. 21.

Canadian men's national team player Scott Sandison will be Fraser's assistant coach for the 2007 campaign.

"I am very excited and fortunate to come into such a successful program," said an enthusiastic Fraser. "We have a superb group of student athletes and a supportive administration at U of T. Both Scott and I look forward to carrying on the Blues' tradition of field hockey excellence."

An intercollegiate field hockey player with Toronto from 1998 to 2002, Fraser earned 1998 Ontario University Athletics(OUA) and Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU) rookie of the year honours, while also earning herself a second team OUA all-star selection. An accomplished athlete in both ice and field hockey, Fraser won numerous awards throughout her varsity career. She helped U of T to four OUA gold medals, one Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) silver and one CIS bronze, and served as the team captain in 2001-02 and 2002-03. She was a three-time first team OUA all-star, three-time all-Canadian, and two-time CIS tournament all-star. While competing in indoor hockey, Fraser won first team all-star honours three years in a row.

"I am thrilled that Erin has been appointed as the new field hockey coach", said Beth Ali, the Varsity Blues manager of intercollegiate sport. "She is an excellent coach and will bring her vast experience as a university, provincial, national and international player to her coaching of the Blues. Erin is committed to excellence both on the field and in the classroom and our Varsity Blues athletes will flourish under her leadership. The torch has been passed and Erin will do an outstanding job."

Fraser has also enjoyed success with Field Hockey Ontario as a key team member for 12 years. From 2001 to 2005, she played on Canada's national team.

After five years of success at the university level, Fraser sought a new challenge—field hockey in Europe. She lived and played in Holland with club team MOP, Dammes 1 for a season before returning home to train with the national team. While abroad, Fraser coached Club MOP Under-14 boys, Under-18 girls and a senior men's team.

In 2006, Fraser coached the Central Ontario U-19 field hockey team to a bronze medal at the 2006 Ontario Summer Games and assisted with the coaching duties of the Ontario U-19 indoor team. In the fall of 2006, Fraser was the assistant coach of the Blues, helping the Blues to another OUA crown and CIS bronze medal.