Wolverine Great Gannon Fisher Named Assistant Coach
7/17/2019 10:41:00 AM | Field Hockey
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan field hockey head coach Marcia Pankratz announced Wednesday (July 17) the return of former Wolverine standout Kristi Gannon Fisher to the U-M coaching staff. Gannon Fisher, a two-time All-American and Big Ten Conference Athlete of the Year during her collegiate career (2000-03), previously spent five years with the Michigan staff, including a season as full-time assistant (2009) and two as the Wolverines' volunteer coach (2006-07).
"I am so excited to have Kristi return to Michigan and join our coaching staff," said Pankratz. "I can't say enough about her. She was a consummate student-athlete during her time here -- a true Michigan Woman through and through -- and will now be a consummate coach at the highest level. Her character is impeccable, and she is a tremendous role model and mentor. She understands the culture of the Michigan field hockey program, and she knows how to win. We're lucky to have her."
Gannon Fisher was Pankratz's first hire when the latter returned to the helm of the program in January 2009 and spent one season as an assistant coach. Prior to her initial return to Michigan, Gannon Fisher served as manager of athlete development within the youth development department of USA Field Hockey.
Gannon Fisher brings a wealth of valuable international and collegiate playing experience to the Wolverine program. A four-year member of the USA Field Hockey women's national team (2003-06), Gannon Fisher boasts 45 international caps and a pair of international goals. She contributed to U.S. silver medals at the 2004 Pan American Cup and 2001 Americas Cup, and competed in the 2004 Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Most recently, Gannon Fisher was a member of the U.S. squad at the 2006 World Cup Qualifier, where the USA claimed fourth to earn a berth to the premiere international event. A veteran of U.S. junior teams since 1998, Gannon Fisher also played on the 2001 Junior World Cup and 2000 Junior Pan Am teams.
As a Wolverine student-athlete (2000-03), Gannon Fisher received National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) All-America first team honors during her last two seasons. She was a four-time selection to the All-Big Ten first team, becoming the only the fourth player in conference history to earn such distinction. As a senior in 2003, Gannon Fisher was recognized as the Big Ten Player of the Year, adding to her 2000 conference Freshman of the Year trophy.
Gannon Fisher was a pivotal member of the Wolverines' 2001 NCAA Championship team, earning All-Tournament team honors after scoring U-M's second goal against Maryland in the final game. She ranks among the top 10 in every major U-M career scoring category with 37 goals, 26 assists and 100 career points.
A native of Escondido, California, Gannon Fisher graduated from Michigan in 2006 with a degree in physical education. She is married to Jim Fisher, a 2005 Michigan graduate and three-year football letterwinner as a tight end, and has three children, Jacob, Kaci and Karli.
