CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia assistant field hockey coach Alexandra Kyser recently participated in the 2008 NCAA Women Coaches Academy, held Dec. 11-15 in Denver, Colo.

The NCAA Women Coaches Academy provides skills training for coaches at all levels to assist them in being more efficient, productive, resourceful and successful. The academy is designed for women coaches who are ready and willing to increase their individual effectiveness by learning advanced skills and strategies that directly affect their personal and team success. The participants learn skills that are not sport specific, yet ones that are relevant and necessary for coaching responsibilities, beyond the X’s and O’s.

The WCA, open to any sport at any division, is designed to give coaches the opportunity to understand their expanding role as a coach, along with perspectives and skills to help them make the most of their situation. In the company and understanding of other coaches, they will have the opportunity to talk and listen with others to gain support and learn new tools and strategies.

Virginia has advanced to the NCAA Tournament in each season under Kyser’s tutelage. She serves as the recruiting coordinator that landed the national rookie of the year in 2008 (Paige Selenksi) as well as four members of the national rookie squad over the past three seasons.

Kyser was an All-American at Michigan State for current Virginia head coach Michele Madison, and spent the 2005 campaign on the Spartan staff before continuing her coaching career in Charlottesville. She also served as the volunteer assistant coach at MSU in 2004 while finishing up her bachelor’s degree.

The Columbus, Ohio, native was named to the USA Field Hockey National Squad in January 2005 and spent nearly two years training on and off with team. She also received an open tryout for the 2004 U.S. Olympic team and was asked to play with the Midwest team in the 2007 U.S. Field Hockey High Performance national championships.

Kyser continued her involvement on the national scene over the summer of 2008 after being chosen as a Futures selector.