DUDLEY, Mass. – Nichols College Director of Athletics Charlie Robert has announced the hiring of Jillian Campbell as head coach of the women's ice hockey program.
Campbell arrives in 'Bison Country' after spending the 2011-12 campaign as an assistant at Williams College, where the Ephs posted an overall record of 11-14 and a 7-9 mark in the highly-competitive New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC). At Williams, Campbell was responsible for a myriad of duties, including film breakdown, on/off ice instruction, recruiting, and game strategy preparation. She also spent time earlier this year as a talent evaluator for the Berkshire Bruins youth hockey program and as a coach/evaluator for USA Hockey's selection camp in Arizona.
“It is a pleasure to welcome Jillian Campbell to Nichols and have her take over the helm of our women's hockey program,” said Robert. “Coach Campbell's presentation was focused on team culture, along with developing a confident and competitive team dynamic. Her love of the sport and her passion for teaching are evident. This will be a very exciting season for our women skaters.”
A 2011 graduate of Bowdoin College, Campbell was a four-year member of the Polar Bears women's ice hockey program, serving as captain as a senior in 2010-11. In 96 career games, she tallied 72 points on 29 goals and 43 assists. Campbell increased her point production in each season, from 12 in 2007-08 to 18 in 2008-09 to 20 in 2009-10 and 22 as a senior.
“I'm really excited to have this opportunity,” said Campbell. “The group of student-athletes I met with during my interview were great and I am looking forward to working with them. This is a young program which has been molded well, and I want to establish some new routes and help enhance the student-athlete's overall experience.”
Prior to her arrival at Bowdoin, Campbell helped Team Nova Scotia capture four Atlantic Challenge Cups from 2003-07 and was a member of the squad which competed at the U-18 Canada Games in 2007. She also played one year of lacrosse (2009) at Bowdoin and was the head girls lacrosse coach at Mount Greylock High School this past spring.
“The students are here to be students first and athletes second, so I see the program as a way to enhance their experience at Nichols,” said Campbell. “I want them to find things along the way to take with them into their lives beyond college. My main focus will be on confidence and helping the student-athletes feel confident in anything they do in the classroom, on the ice, and beyond Nichols.”
Campbell is a native of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia who graduated summa cum laude from Brewster Academy in 2007. She was a neuroscience major and education minor at Bowdoin.
