Amy McCleary joined Cal in the fall of 2005 following the 2005 IFWLA World Cup held in Annapolis, Md., at the Naval Academy, where she served as the associate head coach for the German national team.
McCleary, who worked at James Madison between 2004 and 2005, helped the Dukes win the Colonial Athletic Conference, reach the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals in 2004, and become ranked fifth in the country. Also in 2004, JMU had a Tewarraton Trophy finalist (Gail Decker), CAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player (Jess Beard), and WomensLacrosse.com All-Rookie Team member (Kelly Berger).
In addition, McCleary coached two JMU players who made the 2005 Canadian World Cup team and three JMU players who have earned spots on the U.S. Elite and Developmental Teams.
Since 1996, McCleary has been coaching at the international level for Germany, which made just its second appearance in the world championship of lacrosse in 2005. In addition to developing the national team players, McCleary has conducted clinics throughout Germany to teach the sport of women's lacrosse. She also represents Germany as a delegate at the annual meetings of the IFWLA (International Federation of Women's Lacrosse Association).
In 2006, Germany goalkeeper Sabine Paul presented McCleary with the International Federation of Women's Lacrosse Associations (IFWLA) Recognition Award, for her work on behalf of the German national program over the last several years, during which she was a key contributor to Germany's development.
McCleary was also an assistant coach at the University of Delaware from 1996-2000. With McCleary on staff, Delaware won three consecutive America East Conference championships (1997, 1998, 1999) and, in 2000, the Blue Hens earned their first NCAA Tournament berth since 1984. While McCleary was at Delaware, the Blue Hens climbed the ranks from the top 20 breaking into the top 10 and became ranked seventh in the country.
The Baltimore, Md., native was a standout in both field hockey and lacrosse at Washington College in Chestertown, Md. McCleary was a two-time All-American and four-year starter in lacrosse at Washington College, where she also earned two time all-region and Mid-Atlantic Conference honors. She served as team captain and was voted the team's most valuable player as a senior. McCleary also competed on the international scene when she participated in the International Friendship Games in Tokyo, Japan.
McCleary holds a bachelor's degree in business management from Washington College.
