<?xml:namespace prefix="st1"?>Demko Hired as Nebraska Assistant Coach
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Lincoln- Michelle Demko, a former assistant at North CarolinaState, has been added to the Nebraska soccer staff, NU head coach John Walker announced on Tuesday. Demko joins goalkeeping coach Wally Crittenden, who was hired in January, as the newest members of the Husker soccer staff for the 2007 season.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>
"We are excited to have someone of Michelle's pedigree with a professional playing background, recommendations from some of the country's top coaches, as well as an excellent track record with recruiting at NC State,” Walker said. “Her drive and professionalism were evident during the interview process and she has a lot to offer Nebraska.”
During her four-year stint at NC State, Demko helped improve the Pack from a record of 9-9-1 in 2003 to a winning record of 11-9-1 in 2006. Demko helped NC State to an overall record of 33-38-5 during her tenure.
Prior to her position at NC State, Demko played professionally with the Philadelphia Charge alongside former Husker Jenny Benson. Demko was selected in the eighth round (63rd overall) by the Charge and played two seasons in the WUSA, leading Philadelphia into the WUSA Founders Cup semifinals twice.
Demko also had a successful professional career overseas, spending three years in Germany in the competitive Frauen Bundesliga for the SC Klinge Seckah, FSV Frankfurt and Bayern Munich.
She was a starter for all three teams and led Bayern Munich to a league championship. In addition, Demko captured a national title while playing with the W-League’s Maryland Pride from 1994-96.
Demko, who played soccer at the University of Maryland under former U.S. National Team Coach April Heinrichs, was named to the Atlantic Coast Conference's 50th Anniversary Women's Soccer Team. While playing at Maryland, she served as a two-year captain and was voted MVP by her team. She also earned first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors.
Demko played in three Olympic Festivals (1994-96), as well as being called into national team training camps in 1995, 1996 and 1997. Demko also owns a cap with the United States Women’s National Team while playing against Germany in 1997.
A native of Largo, Fla., Demko received a bachelor’s degree of Science-Kinesiology from Maryland. Prior to her arrival at Maryland, she played soccer at BarryUniversity in Miami Shores, Fla., near her hometown.
Demko holds a United States Soccer Federation “B” license.