Missouri State University announced today the hiring of Gabby Gomez Sosa as assistant field hockey coach. She is a 2005 Missouri State graduate and returns to her alma mater for her first foray into field hockey coaching.
"We are extremely excited to have Gabby back with the Missouri State University family," said head coach Dawn Callahan. "She was a tremendous asset as a player and she will make a seamless transition to coaching."
When Gomez Sosa completed her playing career in 2004, she was one of the most highly-decorated field hockey athletes in school history. She was on the NorPac All-Conference team all four seasons, and her five goals and two assists in 13 games as a freshman were good enough to win the conference's Rookie of the Year Award in 2001. From 2002-04, she was named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association All-West Region team, and her senior season she became the first Bear honored on the NFHCA All-America team (third team). That season she led the team in goals (9), assists (8) and points (26). Gomez Sosa, a two-time team captain, remains the only Missouri State player ever to receive the distinction by the NFHCA.
Gomez Sosa finished her illustrious career with 20 goals, 15 assists and 55 points in 71 games, while playing both forward and midfielder positions.
In December 2005, she earned her bachelor's in Spanish education from Missouri State and has been active in the classroom ever since. She has taught at Ozark and Parkview High Schools locally before moving to Germantown, Pa., in 2006 where she was as a full-time Spanish teacher and assistant soccer coach at Delaware Valley Charter High School.
Recently, Gomez Sosa served as a substitute teacher at Centre Academique de Lanaudiere in Repentigny, Quebec, and as a customer service representative for Bell Mobility in Montreal. She was born in Uruguay and is fluent in Spanish, French and English.
Gomez Sosa replaces Kim Gartland, who served five years as the team's assistant before leaving MSU over the summer. Callahan coached Gomez Sosa during her time at MSU, and says she brings tremendous sense and knowledge of the game.
Missouri State kicks off its 2009 campaign on August 28 at Pacific University.
Her hiring is contingent upon final approval by the Missouri State Board of Governors at its next scheduled meeting, October 30.
