BLOOMSBURG—Bloomsburg University has announced the hiring of Gary Agard as assistant coach for both field hockey and lacrosse.

Agard is a native of Trinidad and Tobago and was a member of both the Junior and Senior national teams from 1981 to 1983. During the 1980's he continued to play local hockey for the Rangers field hockey club, which at the time was comprised of nine members of the national team.

In 1992 Agard came to the United States to pursue a college degree. During that time he coached with the late Michael Graham who was at the time one of the selectors for the United State Men's National team and the head coach of the Tristate Falcons Field Hockey Club.

After graduating from Brooklyn College in 1996 with a degree in Physical Education, Agard continued to play and coach for Tristate. The team was the champions of the North East Field Hockey Association from 1996 to 2001. In 2000, the team represented the United States at the inaugural Pan Am Field Hockey Club Championships held in Jamaica.

Bloomsburg head field hockey coach Jan Hutchinson is looking forward to working with Agard.

“Gary has worked our camp the past six years so I know quite a bit about him,” said Hutchinson. “He brings a wealth of experience having played and coached internationally for 20 years. Plus, he is a very good teacher and good with kids. We are excited to try some new things and train in ways we haven't done before. It should be fun working with him.

Agard is married and resides in Bloomsburg.

The Huskies, winners of nine NCAA national championships under Hutchinson, open their season August 31st hosting Wesley College at 2 p.m.