Notre Dame hires Harris as next field hockey coach
This season there will be a new voice on the sidelines at Notre Dame for the first time since 1969.
Yes, after 50 years of coaching Barbara Major has handed the fortunes of the Irish to Cheryl Harris.
So is there pressure following a Mercer County field hockey icon like Major?
“Absolutely,’’ declared Harris.
“She was a legend in her 25th year when I was first hired to coach the freshman,’’ added Harris. “I am so happy to have gotten to coach by her side as her assistant these last few years. I learned so much and she was such a terrific coach and mentor.’’
As Harris prepares to coach her first season, fortunately Major left some pretty impressive talent.
The Irish return Cate Buecker, who led the team in scoring with 16 goals and five assists, Sara Daniels tallied eight goals and Lucy Driscoll returns to the goal.
Buecker along with Emma Murray and Nicole Burney are the ND captains.
“All three have been great team leaders,’’ said Harris. “What I love about Cate is she is a true competitor. She wants to win and therefore she wants the best out of her team. I’m looking forward to great things from Cate, the other captains and the rest of the girls.’’
It has been a productive preseason for Harris along with assistant coaches Carlee Leach and junior varsity coach Kevin Deal.
“Thanks to Kevin (Deal) our JV coach we have a great pool to choose from,’’ said Harris. “Each practice has brought me a little more clarity on what our starting lineup will look like and I’m happy to say we have a pretty solid bench.’’
Harris has been teaching and coaching at Notre Dame since 1995 and the school has become a part of her family.
“My husband, Steve, graduated in ‘83, my son in ‘17, my daughter in ‘19 and our youngest son is a senior,’’ said Harris, who ironically is the only one in the Harris clan not to have an ND diploma. “This school is my family. I believe Notre Dame athletes are held to a higher standard. I am excited to work with a staff that believes in the same values as myself. The athletes care as much for the sport as they do for each other.’’
Since the 2012 season the Irish have been one of the area’s most consistent teams, having just one losing season (2016) in that span, and now Harris would like to continue that level of consistency.
A year ago the Irish got off to a 7-0 start and finished the season at 11-7, going 4-7 over the final stretch of the season.
Harris will be challenged right out of the gate as Robbinsville is ND’s first opponent. The Ravens are always one of the Colonial Valley Conference’s toughest teams.
“We definitely have some work to do,’’ said Harris. “But, I am excited and I’m ready.’’
It’s never easy following a legend, however, Harris seems up to the task.
“Thanks to Kevin (Deal) our JV coach we have a great pool to choose from. Each practice has brought me a little more clarity on what our starting lineup will look like and I’m happy to say we have a pretty solid bench.’’
— Cheryl Harris