For Kelly Blasius-Knudsen '91, four years of Big Green soccer just weren't enough. And now she's headed back to Hanover for more -- this time as head coach of the women's soccer team.
For Blasius-Knudsen, the Big Green country has always had that home-sweet-home feeling.
"When I graduated in 1991, I thought I'd love to be back in 10 or 15 years as a dean or something," she said. "I definitely knew I wanted to come back someday."
As a four-year starter in the Green and White, Blasius-Knudsen earned the nickname "Blaze" for her sizzling speed up and down the flanks. She capped off her undergraduate career with first-team All-Ivy honors while serving as captain of the squad that same year.
Since then, Blasius-Knudsen has never really hung up her cleats or left the soccer fields.
Following a one-year teaching stint at Stuart Country Day in Princeton, NJ, she rekindled the flame of Big Green success when she took on the role of assistant coach under Steve Swanson in 1992.
During Blasius-Knudsen's three year tenure on the coaching staff, the Big Green won one Ivy title (1993), played in one ECAC Tournament (1992) and reached the NCAA Tournament twice (1993, 1994).
Most recently, Blasius-Knudsen, 27, has served as head coach at the University of Vermont, where she helped the Catamounts return to prominence, culminating last year in a 12-4-2 overall record and an AMERICA EAST regular-season championship with a perfect 7-0-0 mark.
For her efforts, Blasius-Knudsen was named Coach of the Year by AMERICA EAST as well as by the New England Women's Intercollegiate Soccer Association.
With results like these, should we be at all surprised by the Big Green's excitement over Blaze's return? Hardly.
"Having someone of Kelly's caliber join our coaching ranks is very satisfying because she has a high level of talent, expertise and energy," said Athletic Director Dick Jaeger. "We are very excited to have her on board again."
For junior keeper Annie Eckstein and the other '98s on the team, Blasius-Knudsen's return will be a reunion of sorts. During their rookie season, Blaze helped coach the team to the NCAA Tournament.
"I'm really excited that she'll be here for my senior year," Eckstein said. "I know that she will help us build from all that we have accomplished in her absence."
Junior midfielder Betsy Dobbin is equally thrilled about Blaze's return. "Kelly could not be a better person for the job," Dobbin said.
As for Blasius-Knudsen herself, she's psyched as ever to be returning to her alma mater.
"I'm thrilled," she said. "We've got some really great players in the ranks and I've got some high expectations for this team."
Blasius-Knudsen replaces Neil Orr, who led Dartmouth to a 12-4 record and its third NCAA Tournament appearance in four years this past season as interim coach.
