Dec. 13, 2000
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern University athletic director Rick Taylor announced today the hiring of Jennifer Haigh as the Wildcats new women's soccer head coach. Haigh replaces Marcia McDermott, who resigned in November to take a head coaching job in the new women's professional soccer league.
"We are very pleased to announce Jennifer Haigh as our new head women's soccer coach," said Taylor. "She has proven to be an outstanding recruiter at two other major programs and we expect her to continue to build Wildcat women's soccer into a Big Ten and national power."
Haigh comes to NU from the University of Missouri, where she was the first assistant for the Tigers during the 2000 season. In just one season, Haigh was responsible for recruiting the best freshman class in Tiger women's soccer history.
"I'm very excited to be joining Northwestern," said Haigh. "I feel very fortunate to be inheriting a talented and committed team. I think Northwestern is a fabulous university with a strong commitment to the student-athlete. The opportunities are endless for women's soccer at NU."
Prior to Missouri, Haigh helped build the Arizona State women's program from scratch in 1997. During her three seasons as the first assistant, the Sun Devils bettered their record from 4-11 in 1997 to 12-7 and a top-25 ranking in 1999. Her work continued to pay off in 2000, as ASU reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament with players she recruited.
Haigh was a four-year letterwinner at the University of Wisconsin from 1991-95. During her playing career, the Badgers appeared in the NCAA Tournament four times, including the National Championship game in 1991. She was voted Most Improved in 1992 and 1994 and was a team captain in 1995. Haigh earned Academic All-Big Ten honors twice, was named to the Dean's List, and was a GTE Academic All-District pick in 1994 and 1995.
Haigh is the director of the Direct Kick Soccer Camp in Northfield, Minn.