Bozman selected to succeed Tchou

Athletic Director Joe Alleva informed the field hockey team Monday that Princeton head coach Beth Bozman has been selected to replace Liz Tchou at the top job at Duke.

For 15 years Bozman has been the head coach at Princeton, where she has compiled a record of 188-73-6. Last year, her Tigers advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament, before falling to Penn State, which ultimately lost in the national finals.

"Beth Bozman was selected as the new head coach," junior Jessica Fluck said and several other Blue Devils confirmed. "We were informed today at practice by members of the athletic department."

Last year, Tchou guided Duke to its first ever NCAA quarterfinals, where it lost to eventual-national champion Wake Forest. In her seven seasons at the helm for the Blue Devils, Tchou amassed a 76-67 record. She resigned her position in early December amidst apparent dissatisfaction from some of her players.

Tchou led Duke to three NCAA tournaments, one fewer than the number of Final Fours to which Bozman led Princeton. Most recently, the Tigers competed in the 2001 Final Four and lost in the semifinals to Michigan.

Previously, Princeton became one of just two teams in NCAA field hockey history to reach three straight Final Fours. The Tigers lost in the finals in 1996 and 1998, and the semifinals in 1997.

Bozman has coached Princeton to nine consecutive Ivy League titles. She was rewarded for the Tigers' first Final Four appearance in 1996 with the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Coach of the Year honors. The 1976 Trenton State College graduate has also served as president of the National Field Hockey Coaches Association.

Former Tchou-assistant Cindy Werley is currently guiding the Blue Devils, who were practicing as part of their spring practice regimen when Alleva made his brief announcement. The players were not informed of a date for Bozman's arrival or a public statement from Alleva.