FOR RELEASE ON: April 26, 2006

One of the finest women’s soccer products ever to come out of New Jersey is home again. After spending 11 seasons playing in Sweden, Denise Reddy is returning to her home state to join the New Jersey Wildcats staff as an assistant coach the W-League team announced today. Reddy will be the top assistant for Wildcats Head Coach Charlie Naimo as the team seeks to defend its W-League Championship.

The former Rutgers University All-American returns to New Jersey after 11 years in Sweden’s Damallsvenskan – one of the top women’s leagues in the world. Following her standout career at Rutgers, the Hazlet, NJ native joined the Swedish club Umeå IK for one season in 1995 before moving to Malmö DFF for the next 10 seasons. Reddy retired from the Malmö side last fall and will be with the Wildcats for the 2006 season.

Reddy on the field with Malmö (Christer Hansson - chha@telia.com)

"The addition of Denise to the Wildcats staff is just as big as any player signing that we’ll make this season," said Wildcats Head Coach Charlie Naimo. "She shares the same enthusiasm for greatness as the rest of our staff. She has tremendous experience from playing with Malmö in the Damallsvenskan and we’re excited that she will be passing on her knowledge to our players."

A Raritan High School graduate, Reddy appeared in 336 games during her career with Malmö and was a fan favorite. She collected 35 goals during her 10 years as Malmö’s starting center back serving as the team captain from 1999 to 2005. Malmö won the Swedish Cup in 1997 and also produced eight second-place finishes and two third-place finishes in the Damallsvenskan final table while she was there.

Before Reddy headed overseas, she made her mark as one of the best defenders ever to play for the Rutgers women’s soccer team. She was a four-year starter in a career that spanned from 1988 to 1991. In addition to serving as the team captain and earning team MVP honors in 1990 and 1991, Reddy, who also played three seasons on the Rutgers women’s basketball team, was named to the NSCAA All-America second team in 1991.

Reddy’s coaching resume includes stints as a New Jersey ODP coach from 1989 to 1994 as well as one year as an assistant coach at Cornell University in 1994. During her time in Sweden, she served as the head coach at Procivitas H.S. Soccer Academy and as an assistant trainer at Borger H.S. Soccer Academy.

"Denise and I have known each other since college and we work very well together," Naimo said. "She may technically just be an assistant, but she will have a lot of say what goes on here. I trust her knowledge and I know the players will love her."

WILDCATS IN DEPTH: Denise Reddy

• Hometown: Hazlet, NJ
• Born: September 14, 1970
• Played for Malmö DFF in Sweden’s Damallsvenskan from 1996-2000 appearing in 336 games with 35 goals scored
• Served as Malmö team captain from 1999-2005
• Led Malmö to the 2005 Mediterranean International Cup(MIC) Championship, the 2003 UEFA Champions League semifinals, and the 1997 Swedish Cup Championship
• Malmö finished second eight times and third two times in the Damallsvenskan during her stay
• Played for Umeå IK in 1995
• Starred for Rutgers University from 1988-1991
• Started all four seasons for the Scarlet Knights appearing in 81 games while posting five goals and nine assists
• Earned NSCAA All America second team honors in 1991
• Served as Rutgers team captain in 1990 and 1991
• Named team co-MVP in 1990 and 1991
• Also played for the Rutgers women’s basketball team from 1990-1993
• Helped the Lady Knights to the 1993 Atlantic 10 Championship
• Attended Raritan High School in Hazlet, NJ
• Served as head coach at Procivitas High School Soccer Academy in Sweden from 2004-2005
• Served as assistant trainer at Borger High School Soccer Academy in Sweden from 1996-2001
• Worked as an assistant coach at Cornell University in 1994
• Coached in the New Jersey ODP from 1989-1994