Colleen M. Hacker, Ph.D

Colleen Hacker originally coached field hockey at PLU, but in 1981, even though she had not played or coached soccer, Dr. Hacker became the head coach of the new team. The rest is history. In a 15-year span that ended with the 1995 season, Hacker’s teams compiled a 233-59-18 record, won the Northwest Conference title 10 times, won five straight NAIA District 1 and NAIA West Region crowns, and played for the NAIA national championship five consecutive years. The Lutes won the national title in 1988, 1989 and 1991, and finished as the runner-up in 1990 and 1992. She was named the conference Coach of the Year five times, the NAIA District 1 Coach of the Year seven times, NAIA/NSCAA West Region Coach of the Year four times and NAIA/NSCAA National Coach of the Year three times. Dr. Hacker joined the coaching staff of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team in 1996 and serves as the team’s sport psychology consultant. She served on the national soccer team staff during the 1996, 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games, the 1998 Goodwill Games, and the 1999 and 2003 World Cup. She will serve in that same role with the 2007 World Cup squad in China. Dr. Hacker works with professional, international and Olympic athletes in a variety of sports including swimming, crew, speed skating, track and field, tennis, Major League baseball, the WNBA and the NFL.

Born in Lancaster, Penn., on Nov. 24, 1956, Hacker is herself an accomplished athlete. In badminton, she has been ranked in the top 10 nationally in mixed doubles and women’s doubles, and she has qualified for nationals in in-line skating. While at Lock Haven University she participated in the 1976 Olympic Trials in both team handball and field hockey. She also played in eight field hockey national tournaments and in three regional basketball championships.