Rhodes College is thrilled to introduce the new coaching staff for the 2024 field hockey season, marking an exciting chapter for the program.
The 2024 coaching staff will be led by Interim Head Coach Laura Hurff. A distinguished figure in the field hockey community, Hurff brings a wealth of experience and accolades to Rhodes. She previously served as an assistant coach at Syracuse and Cornell. A former standout player at Syracuse, Hurff was a four-year starter and earned first- or second-team All-American honors three times. Her impressive resume includes playing on the U17, U19, and U21 national teams, where she secured a silver medal at the Pan Am Games with the U21 team. Additionally, Hurff has been a member of both the national outdoor and indoor field hockey teams.
Joining Hurff on the staff is Ariel Mroz-Brewer, who will serve as a part-time assistant coach. Mroz-Brewer previously coached at Rhodes during the 2019 season before transitioning to a role with the Grizzlies, where she continues to work. She has a strong background as a field hockey graduate assistant at Utica for four years and played four years at Castleton.
Also joining the coaching team is Darian Smith, a part-time assistant coach who recently graduated from Rhodes in 2024. Smith made a significant impact on the field hockey team, starting all 46 games over three years and earning all-conference honors twice. She was part of the team that captured two Southern Athletic Association (SAA) titles. Currently, Smith is pursuing nursing at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC).
"We are excited to welcome Laura, Ariel, and Darian to our field hockey program," said Athletic Director Jim Duncan. "Their collective experience and passion for the sport will undoubtedly contribute to a successful season ahead. We look forward to seeing the positive impact they will have on our student-athletes and the program as a whole."
The Rhodes College field hockey team is set to embark on an exciting season with a dynamic new coaching staff. Stay tuned for updates and game schedules as we head into the 2024 season.
