University of Minnesota Athletics
COLETTE GILLIGAN JOINS GOLDEN GOPHER SOCCER COACHING STAFF
5/9/2000 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
"Colette brings to Minnesota an outstanding offensive mind and the knowledge and experience to help add a new and exciting philosophy to our already dangerous offensively minded program," said Wickstrand. "She has played for competitive programs and understands what it takes to win and get to the next level."
Gilligan leaves the Middle Tennessee State program which she has directed since its inception in 1996. She led the Blue Raiders to a 20-30-5 record over three seasons, including the school's first winning record of 10-8 last fall. Prior to taking the head coaching position at Middle Tennessee State, Gilligan spent two seasons as an assistant coach at East Carolina.
A native of Dublin, Ireland, Gilligan first came to the U.S. to play collegiate soccer. She starred at NCAA Division III Methodist College in Fayetteville, N.C. from 1989-1993. She earned All-America honors in 1990, 1992 and 1993, while capturing all-region and all- conference honors every year of her collegiate career. She helped the Lady Monarchs to the NCAA Tournament's national semi-finals in 1989 and 1990, and to the nation's number-one ranking during the 1990 season.
Athletics was not Gilligan's only area of excellence at Methodist. She was also the embodiment of the term "student-athlete." Gilligan was a four-time academic all-conference honoree and a member of the Dean's List from 1991-93. She graduated in 1993 with a bachelor's degree in physical education. She continued her education at East Carolina, earning a master's degree in sports administration in 1996.
Before crossing the Atlantic to play collegiate soccer, Gilligan gained a wealth of experience on an international level. She was a member of the Irish National Junior Team from 1985-88 and a member of the Irish National Senior Panel in 1989.
Gilligan, an active volunteer with Special Olympics, has also been involved coaching at the Olympic Development Program level. She was the ODP head coach for the under-14 age group in Tennessee from 1998 to 2000. She also served as the assistant women's Olympic Development coach for North Carolina, working with the under-16's and under-15's from 1993-1995.
The Golden Gophers open the 2000 season by hosting Nebraska on Friday, August 25 at the Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium.
