SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- The Notre Dame College Athletic  Department and NDC Falcon Rugby  announced today that prominent  New Zealand National Team Olympic weightlifter  and Auckland University Rugby standout Terry Han will join the program in January as a Graduate Assistant Coach heading up the rugby strength and conditioning program.  

Han holds a Bachelor of Science (Sport and Exercise Science) Degree from the University of Auckland and has been a member of the New Zealand National weightlifting team at the 77kg weight class since 2012 where his best lifts were a snatch of 116kg and clean & jerk of 150kg. Prior to his National Weightlifting team experience Han played rugby, 15's and 7's, for Auckland University from 2008-2011 at Fullback and was instrumental in leading them to their best season record as a U21 player in 2010. Additionally, Han has extensive experience at the University of Auckland as a teaching assistant for sport and exercise science and the prestigious elite New Zealand training venue, Millennium Institute of Sport & Health assisting athletes in technical elements of the Olympic lifts.

"We are very excited and fortunate to have Coach Han joining our program, he has a very unique combination of experiences with his International Weightlifting and high level New Zealand rugby experience" said NDC Director of Rugby Brian McCue. "His extensive background in coaching and training high performance athletes about sport and fitness through theory and participation along with a strong understanding of sport and exercise science, organization, understanding of classroom dynamics, and problem solving will be an outstanding addition to the Center of Rugby Excellence at Notre Dame College."

Han has been involved in rugby since he was 10 years old. He played through high school at Macleans College and beyond reaching the Auckland University U21s team in 2010. He has also completed rugby refereeing courses.  According to Han, "The leadership and coaching roles he has undertaken will be a great asset to him in helping both the Women's and Men's teams at Notre Dame College to perform at the highest levels. He shares the same drive, desire and commitment to excellence he sees that the NDC Falcon Varsity program is becoming known for and is excited to be part of National Championship caliber American rugby.  Additionally, the values of NDC, in the tradition of the Sisters of Notre Dame, which offers a liberal arts education with regard to personal, professional and global responsibility one student at a time is in line with my personal values. I believe in the NDC Falcon Rugby mission of, providing a World Class Rugby experience for ALL serious and top level Rugby Student-Athletes where it is Student first. Athlete second." he added.

Han's arrival January 11th to pursue a Master of Arts in Security Policy Studies could not be timelier as NDC Falcon Rugby kicks off its Spring 2014 season with match's against perennial Division 1 powerhouses Bowling Green State University March 22 and St. Bonaventure March 29.