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New head coach looking to bring UA women's soccer to elite status

After last month's unexpected resignation of Lisa Fraser, the UA women's soccer team has a proven winner in as its new head coach.

Cathy Klein, the former head coach at Iowa State University, will succeed Fraser, who resigned after the end of the season to spend more time with her family.

"Cathy's just real dynamic - she's a fireball," said Kathleen LaRose, UA senior associate athletics director. "Hopefully she will just continue her winning tradition here."

UA players will quickly become acclimated with Klein's philosophy of work ethic, loyalty and getting productive performances out of her players.

"They should be ready to work for her, she is a players coach," assistant coach Andre Luciano said. "Players have a tendency to play their hearts out for her."

Klein, 35, enjoyed quick success as she directed the ISU Cyclones into a nationally ranked squad in only five seasons.

Klein took ISU to the Big 12 Conference postseason conference tournament twice and was named the conference's coach of the year in 1997.

Last season, her Cyclones posted a 13-8 record and finished the season ranked No. 21 in the country.

Klein also coached Creighton to a 14-4 mark and a No. 17 ranking in 1994.

Klein's teams at ISU and Creighton characteristically were very hard working and disciplined.

Her teams have a "strong work ethic on the field and usually capitalize on their opportunities," Luciano said.

The Wildcats will be "very organized and the work rate of the team will be effected by her presence," he said.

Aside from coaching at Division I schools ISU and Creighton, Klein has also been the head coach at Earlham College in Richmond, Ind. and Utica N.Y., College.

Prior to coaching, Klein was a two-time Division I All-American in 1985 and 1986 at State University of New York at Cortland. She was given "Super 11" honors during her senior season by Soccer America magazine.

"I've known Cathy from previous encounters and she gets the most out of her programs," Luciano said.

Luciano said, "Klein will be a real positive step for the program" after the departure of Fraser.

Recruiting efforts have not been hurt by the naming of a new coach, as all three players that signed letters of intent to UA have stood by their commitments.

"She's a great recruiter," LaRose said. "She's recruited back-to back Big 12 rookies of the year."