| Neil MacMillan |
|
|
Entering his second season with the Wake Forest field hockey staff in 2000 is assistant coach Neil Macmillan. He is in charge of goalkeepers and will help coach the outfield as well as the defensive backfield. Macmillan also assists with recruiting, scheduling, film review and is charged with organizing the Deacon travel plans.
"We're really pleased to elevate Neil to our first coaching position," head coach Jen Averill said. "He was very instrumental in his first year at Wake with the development of our goalkeepers and field players. I feel that he compliments me well."
A 1996 graduate of the University of Loughborough in England with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, Macmillan has head coaching experience at the Stamford School in England. He served as the head coach at Stamford for three seasons before coming to Wake Forest, while also teaching mathematics.
Last season, he helped goalkeeper Meaghan Nitka to second team All-American honors, as well as Regional All-American and All-ACC.
Before going into coaching, Macmillan enjoyed a lengthy and successful playing career. From 1982 to 1992, he played for the Havant Hockey Club in his hometown of Havant, England. He was part of teams that won national championships and competed in the European Club Championships in both 1991 and 1992.
His squad took the title at the European Cup "Winners Cup" in 1991, and he was a goalkeeper on the European Club Championship team in 1992.
Macmillan spent the 1992-93 season playing in Australia, where he competed for Grippsland and was part of their state championsip team.
After his stint in Australia, Macmillan returned to England and attended the University of Loughborough. While at Loughborough, he was the goalkeeper for their national championship team in 1994-95 and their runner-up team the following season.
Following his time at Loughborough, Macmillan played at the goalkeeper position for several teams, including the Midlands Universities, a Divisional Team, as well as the Beeston Hockey Club, a National League Divison I team in England. He then spent the last three seasons prior to Wake Forest playing for the St. Albans Hockey Club. St. Albans is also a member of the National League Division I.
Macmillan on Wake Forest:
"I was very fortunate to arrive at Wake Forest in time for a fantastic season a year ago. My knowledge of American college sport has developed considerably and will continue to do so under the great instruction of my head coach, Jen. It is extremely exciting and challenging to be part of the future growth of the Demon Deacons."
