FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

May 8, 2012-- The North Central College athletic department is proud to announce the hiring of Bonnie Young as the Cardinals' new head coach for the women's soccer program.

"I'm excited to be involved with such a great institution and excited for the challenge of coaching in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin," said Young.

“I would like to thank athletic director Jim Miller and the search committee for giving me this wonderful opportunity. The location (in downtown Naperville) is second to none while the facilities are top notch across the board and some of the best in the country, whether it's Division I or Division III.”

Young is the Senior Girls Director of Coaching for the Naperville Soccer Association Premier Soccer Club, a position she has held since 2009. In that capacity, she manages a coaching staff of 10 while also serving as head coach for the U15 and U17 squads.

Young is no stranger to the collegiate coaching ranks having served as an assistant at Division I Monmouth University (N.J.) from 2006-2009 and the University of Rhode Island from 2005-2006. Additional coaching stints include serving as an assistant for the New Jersey Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (U14 and U17) from 2006-2008 while also working in various capacities for the West Chester United Soccer Club (2004-2005).

As a player, Young was a four year member of the women's soccer team at Penn State, twice earning All-Big Ten accolades. She was the Nittany Lion's Most Valuable Defensive player in 2000 and 2001 while earning First Team All Mid-Atlantic Region honors in 2000 and 2001. After college, Young spent several seasons playing in the professional and semi-pro ranks, including stints with the Women's United Soccer Association's New York Power in 2002 and the Chicago Red Stars of Women's Professional Soccer in 2009.

Young graduated from Penn State in 2002 with a degree in kinesiology while earning a master's degree in human movement in 2009 from A.T. Still University. Young additionally has a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) National Diploma and is a graduate of the NCAA Women's Coaches Academy.

Young becomes the program's seventh head coach, replacing Jenni Kapanen who compiled a 52-76-8 record in eight years at the helm. Kapanen will continue her duties as head coach of the women's lacrosse program.

North Central finished its 2011 campaign with a 7-9-1 record, including a 0-6-1 mark in College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin play.