HARRISONBURG, Va. – EMU athletics have announced the hiring of two new graduate assistants and one new assistant coach.

Trevor Swartz has been named the new GA for the men’s soccer team, Brandy Troutman has been named the new GA for field hockey and Caroline Sdanowich has been brought on as the assistant coach for EMU lacrosse.

Trevor Swartz

Swartz comes to EMU from Messiah University where he was a four-year player for the Falcons who appeared in 83 matches with 27 starts, including starting all 22 matches during his senior season. As a midfielder, he scored five goals and added six assists in helping the Falcons to a 76-5-9 record in his four years. Messiah was the MAC Commonwealth Conference Champion all four seasons during Swartz’s tenure, and the team achieved a #1 ranking in 2022. The Falcons made the NCAA Tournament all four years, advancing to the Elite Eight twice and the Sweet 16 once. In addition to his success on the field, he was a two-time MAC Commonwealth Sportsmanship Award winner along with earning CoSIDA All-District Academic honors.

Head coach Justin Carey on the addition of Swartz to his staff:

“I am thrilled that Trevor has decided to join our coaching staff here at EMU. His playing experience at Messiah, the most successful program at our level, will be extremely valuable for our program, but most importantly for our current and incoming players. On top of his extremely sharp soccer mind, he is someone that our players will relate to and trust. I can’t wait to see the impact he has on our program!”

Brandy Troutman

Troutman is no stranger to Royals field hockey as she’s been an integral part of the team for five seasons. In her time at EMU, she played in and started 79 games. She graduated as one of the most decorated field hockey players in recent history, earning second-team All-ODAC honors four straight years. She was also named VaSID First-Team All-State 2022 and Second-Team in 2021 and 2019. During the 2022 season, she was also named to the Victory Sports Tours/NFHCA Division III Senior Game.

In 2021, she had the most defensive saves in the ODAC and all of Division III with 15 and 7 during the COVID season of spring 2021. In 2019, she set the EMU record for defensive saves in a single season, and was tied for the most in Division III, with 19. In addition to her on the field accolades, she was named to the ODAC All-Academic Team for the 2021-22 season.

Head coach Stick Kishorn on the addition of Troutman to her staff:

“Brandy embodies pride and passion for both EMU and the sport of field hockey. After her five seasons of dedication as a student-athlete, she offers an understanding of what we are trying to accomplish with the EMU field hockey program and will be able to help elevate the program in new ways. She brings a different perspective to our coaching staff and will assist with the development of our athletes. I am excited to continue to work together to meet goals for the program. I am also looking forward to assisting Brandy as she begins her career in athletics.”

Caroline Sdanowich

After an illustrious career at James Madison University, Sdanowich joins interim coach Mikaela Brooks’ staff at EMU.

Sdanowich was a four-year member of the Dukes lacrosse team, playing from 2016-2019. In her time at JMU, she played in 82 games with 64 starts as a defender. She helped JMU to the 2018 NCAA DI National Championship, where the Dukes took down Boston College 16-15.

She was a Top 25 Tewaaraton nominee, which is an award given to the nation’s best men’s and women’s lacrosse player. She was also the CAA Defensive Player of the Year while earning Inside Lacrosse Media Second-Team All-American and IWLCA Second-Team All-American. She was also named First-Team All-South Region, First-Team All-CAA and VaSID First-Team All-State. She also played for Team Brave in the Women’s Professional Lacrosse League.

Head coach Mikaela Brooks on the addition of Sdanowich to her staff:

“We are very blessed to have Coach Sdanowich with us. She adds an eminent level of experience to the coaching staff after such an incredible playing career, leadership roles and knowledge of the sport. She brings an intensity to this team and will be a vital role in the growth of the program.”

— EMU Athletics —