KENOSHA, WI. – Carthage College Director of Athletics
Robert Bonn announced Wednesday the hiring of
Laura Coffman as head coach of the women's water polo team. Coffman becomes the fifth coach head coach in program history.
"I am honored to lead the Carthage water polo program," said Coffman. "I am excited to be part of the Carthage College community, and I am grateful and appreciate the opportunity that Dr. (Gregory) Woodward and Dr. Bonn have given to me!"
Coffman comes to Carthage with an extensive coaching background, most recently at the Gilman School in Baltimore, Md., from 2008-2011, where Laura became the first female varsity head coach in the all-boys independent school's 117-year history. While at Gilman, she earned the school's first Eastern Prep School Championship in Gilman history.
Prior to Gilman, Coffman spent 2004-2007 at the San Diego Shores Water Polo Club as the senior assistant coach for the boys and girls U16 programs, which has produced four Olympians, 14 NCAA Champions and hundreds of collegiate competitors. From 1992-1999, she served as the girls varsity head coach at York Community High School followed by The Latin School of Chicago head coach from 2000-2003.
In 1996, Coffman joined USA Water Polo serving as the Midwest Zone's head coach and as the United States National Youth Team's assistant coach. Additionally, Coffman served as the head coach of Chicago's Apostles Water Polo Club from 1991-1999, and as an assistant to the boys and girls programs at Stevenson High School during the 1991 season.
A member of the 1999 Illinois Water Polo Hall of Fame class, Coffman competed with the Team USA Women's Senior National Team from 1988-1991, the Team USA Women's Junior National Team from 1984-1986, was a six-time participant with the US Olympic Festival North Team and competed with the University of Illinois men's water polo club from 1984-1990.
"Head coaching candidates with Laura's experience and success don't come along very often," said Bonn. "We are thrilled to have her directing our women's water polo program and joining our elite coaching staff."
A Chicago native, Laura has been married to Nat for 19 years and has a son, Matthew, and a daughter, Claire. A 1988 graduate of the University of Illinois, Coffman earned her bachelor's in Biology, as well as her masters in the Teaching of Biological Sciences in 1991.
