Content Courtesy of Indiana Athletics
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - January 28, 2020 - Indiana Field Hockey Head Coach Kayla Bashore has announced the addition of Will Holt to her staff. Holt comes to Indiana with experience at the national and international level while also playing for the U.S. Men's National Team.
"We are so excited to formally welcome Will to IU," head coach Kayla Bashore said. "His experience as a player on the Men's National Team and on various European club teams will bring an even greater depth to our coaching staff."On a national level, Holt has served in many capacities with USA Field Hockey. He got his start with the organization as the assistant coach of the U-21 men's team in which he still contributes. He then went on to serve as the associate head coach of the U-16 men's squad before being elevated to head coach of the U-18 team.
In addition to his coaching duties, he has served on the USA Field Hockey Judicial Committee since April 2017. The committee oversees grievances, disciplinary and right compete matter filed with the USA Field Hockey. He also was on the Athlete Advisory Council (AAC) for two terms. The AAC is the liaison to the United States Olympic Committee and USA Field Hockey Board of Directors for USA athletes.
In Europe, Holt started out in Brussels, Belgium with Royal Oreé T.H.B as the head coach for the U-16 Boys first team in 2010. He would make his return to coaching in 2016 as the head coach of the Royal Pengouins HC U1-6 Boys first team and assistant coach for the U-18 Boys first team. During the 2017 season, he went on to be the director of strength and conditioning with HC Ludwigsburg in Germany. Holt spent the 2018 and 2019 seasons in The Netherlands coaching for two club organizations. In 2018, he was the head coach of the U-16 Boys first team at V.M.H.C. Cartouche prior to becoming the head coach of the U-14 girls team with NMHC Nijmegen.
In addition to his coaching career, he is a member of the U.S. Men's National Team. Since his debut for the national team in 2007, Holt has become an offensive threat for Team USA, scoring 85 times in his 142 international appearances. He has competed in several international tournaments including the 2019 FIH Series Finals, World Hockey League Round 2 in 2013 and 2015. He also played in the Pan American Games in 2011 and in 2015. As well as Champions Challenge II, the 2009 FIH Men's Junior World Cup and multiple Pan American Championships.
Additionally, Holt has spent a number of seasons competing in top European club competitions. He has played for VMHC Cartouche (2009, 2018-19), Royal Oreé T.H.B (2010), Royal Pingouins HC (2016), Southgate FC (2017), HC Ludwigsburg (2018), and most recently NMHC Nijmegen in 2019.
Holt earned his bachelor's degree in Health and Human Performance (Exercise Science) from the University of Louisville in 2013. He also earned his master's degree from Louisville in Athletic Administration in 2016. While pursuing both degrees, he served as the field hockey volunteer assistant coach from 2012-2015 where he assisted in the development of team game plans and breakdown of game film. He was also the penalty corner specialist and goal scoring expert.
