Valparaiso University head women’s soccer coach John Marovich has announced the hiring of Heather Clark as his assistant coach prior to the 2008 season.

            “I am extremely excited about Heather joining the Valpo soccer family,” Marovich said.  “I had a list of characteristics that I wanted in an assistant and throughout the search process Coach Clark met or exceeded all of the values I was looking for.”

            Clark arrives at Valpo from the University of Texas-El Paso, where she has served as a graduate assistant for the Miners for the past two seasons.  While at UTEP, the Miners posted a 28-13-2 record.

            A fixture on defense during her playing career at UTEP, she compiled 19 points on four goals and 11 assists in 70 matches.  Clark served as a team captain in both 2003 and 2004.  She also excelled in the classroom during her playing days, being honored as a First Team CoSIDA Academic All-American in 2004.  She was also a three-time Academic All-District selection.  Clark also earned Academic All-Western Athletic Conference honors on multiple occasions.

            “Heather is an example of what we want our student-athletes to achieve on and off of the field,” added Marovich.  “Her success as a player, a student, and a coach will be a tremendous benefit to our program and the entire athletic department.”

            Clark has her United States Soccer Federation National “D” License and has received regional and state goalkeeping diplomas from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

            Clark is a 2006 graduate of UTEP with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and is currently wrapping up her Masters of Education focusing education administration and leadership at UTEP.