June 9, 2008
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State head coach Mike Friesen announced the hiring Monday of Jayme Hardwick as assistant women's soccer coach. Prior to her appointment, Hardwick was a familiar face in the Aztec athletic department, having served as an academic mentor since the spring of 2007.
"I am very excited about adding Jayme to our staff," Friesen said. "She brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the position, making her a great fit for our program."
A native of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, the former Jayme Biamonte was a four-year letterwinner as a midfielder at Purdue University from 2002-2005. She played in 78 career matches for the Boilermakers, starting in 22 of those contests. Hardwick is tied for seventh on Purdue's all-time list with 11 assists, recording five helpers during the 2003 campaign, which ranked third on the team. That season, she also became the eighth player in the program's brief nine-year history to notch two assists in a game when she accomplished the feat against the University of Evansville.
While at Purdue, Hardwick was a member of three NCAA tournament teams, logging an assist during the opening round against De Paul in 2003 to help the Boilermakers advance to the round of 16.
Following her junior and seniors seasons in 2003 and 2004, Hardwick was named to the Big Ten Conference all-academic team and was voted to the league's all-tournament squad in 2004. She also spent her summers during her collegiate days working as an assistant coach for the St. Catharines Jets club team.
Hardwick completed her undergraduate work in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in physical education and secondary health education. That year, she was voted the Female Physical Education Teacher of the Year by Purdue.
Prior to her matriculation at the West Lafayette, Ind., school, Hardwick served as captain for the national champion Ontario Provincial U-20 soccer team from 2000-02. As a prep athlete at Holy Cross Secondary School she tallied 50 goals and 49 assists during her career, earning the squad's most valuable player award on three occasions.
"I am thrilled with the opportunity to coach here at San Diego State and work alongside an extremely talented group of players and coaches," Hardwick said. "This is a team that undoubtedly has the ability to compete for the Mountain West Conference title and ultimately a national championship."
San Diego State kicks off its 2008 season on Aug. 24 with a road match at Cal State Northridge.