The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Jeannette Croce Named Women's Soccer Assistant Coach
3/1/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
March 1, 2005
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Jeanette Croce has been named an assistant coach for the UAB women's soccer team, head coach Paul Harbin announced on Tuesday.
Croce, a native of Naperville, Ill., and a 2001 graduate of DePaul University, comes to UAB from Barry University in Miami Shores, Fla. Croce served as a volunteer assistant at Barry while she worked on her master's degree in sports management. Croce coached at Grand Valley State in Allendale, Mich., in 2002 before going to Barry in 2003.
"In our search for an assistant, we look for someone with a strong desire to learn, the ability to communicate effectively, a belief in the overall philosophy of our program, and a commitment to keeping our team moving in a positive direction," said Harbin. "From everyone we talked to about her (Croce) and from our interaction with her during the interview process, we found Jeannette to be a great fit," said Harbin.
"In addition to meeting the criteria we were looking for in a coach, it's great to have someone who was one of the top players in Conference USA and knows what it takes to succeed in this league," said Harbin. "We're very excited to have Jeannette on board."
Croce was a standout for DePaul from 1997-2000, garnering all-conference honors in 1997 and is second all-time in DePaul history in career goals scored with 14 and ranks third in points with 35.
Jill Knottek, an assistant last season for the Blazers, has gone back to school to finish her degree in pursuit of her teaching certificate and will serve as a volunteer assistant this season. Knottek is engaged and will be married in June. Summer Perala will return for her third season as an assistant.
