FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 22, 2002

Barber Steps Down From RIC Women’s Soccer Post; Cardona Assumes Head Coaching Duties

Providence, RI—Nicole Barber has resigned as head coach of the Rhode Island College women’s soccer team. Assistant Coach Hector Cardona has been promoted to the position of interim head coach for the 2002 season

"Due to my additional commitments as a teacher at Providence Country Day High School, I felt I wouldn’t be able to give the Rhode Island College women’s soccer program the amount of time it deserves. I have the utmost respect for my players and the effort they put forth on a daily basis and it wouldn’t be fair to them if I stayed on. I have a lot of confidence in Hector. I think he’ll do a great job."

Barber has been the Head Women’s Soccer Coach since its inception as a varsity sport in 1995. In her seven years at the helm RIC has gone 48-65-6. In 2001, Barber led RIC to an 8-7-2 mark. They earned a spot in the Little East Conference Tournament for only the second time in school history and played host to a LEC tournament game for the first time.

Barber began her coaching career as an assistant coach at Brown University, her alma mater. She was a four-year letterwinner at Brown in women’s soccer as well as women’s ice hockey.

Cardona takes over the head coaching position after spending two seasons as Barber’s top assistant. Prior to coming to RIC, Cardona served as the assistant boys’ varsity soccer coach at Tolman High School in Pawtucket.

"I am thrilled to take over the Head Women’s Soccer Coach’s position at Rhode Island College," Cardona says. "I am looking forward to working with the team and hope to take the program to the next level. Coach Barber has done a fantastic job in building the program from the ground up. I can’t wait for the season to start."

He is a 1999 graduate of Rhode Island College with a bachelor’s degree in geography and anthropology. Before attending RIC, he served six years in the U.S. Marine Corps and was honorably discharged with the rank of corporal in 1993.

In addition to his coaching duties, he is an academic advisor/admissions officer at the Community College of Rhode Island. Prior to taking the CCRI position, Cardona worked in the admissions office at RIC and was a coordinator at RIC’s Office of Academic Support and Information Services (OASIS).