Feb. 11, 2013

USC head coach Ali Khosroshahin has hired Trojan great Ashley Nick to join the USC women's soccer staff as Director of Operations. Nick, arguably one of the most talented players to compete for the Women of Troy, was a 2007 All-American and captain of USC's 2007 NCAA Championship team. Her soccer resume shines with international experience gained after her graduation from USC in 2009 as a general studies major with a teaching credential in elementary education.

"I am very excited to have one of the greatest Trojans ever to represent this women's soccer team to be returning to the program," Khosroshahin said of Nick. "Not only is Ashley so bright and capable of excelling in this position, it will be so great to have someone who can mentor the team. She can really offer the ladies a great perspective on leadership and maturity, and her soccer experience is so vast as well."

Nick stood out as one of the most skilled center midfielders in Trojan history during her USC playing career from 2005-08. A junior captain on USC's 2007 NCAA Championship team, Nick was a 2007 All-American and a two-time All-Pac-10 First Team honoree. Following her graduation in 2009, Nick went overseas to play professional soccer in the Netherlands and Norway. She was named captain of FC Twente, where she played two seasons and helped the team win the Dutch Championship and compete in the Champions League. Following that, she played in Norway for Arna Bjørnar, where she was named the team's Biggest Impact Player and helped the squad to the bronze medal in the Norwegian league.

"It means so much to me to join the staff here at USC," Nick said. "I'm honored to have this position and I hope I can help bring some knowledge of the tradition we have here and what it takes to win another national championship."