ASHEVILLE Players Academy

Michelle Demko is in her fourth year as head coach of the UNC Asheville women's soccer program. The former University of Maryland star is steadily rebuilding the Bulldog program and is determined to get it back to the top of the Big South Conference.

In the spring of 2013, Demko was selected to serve as an assistant coach for the U.S. Under-23 Women's National Team when it played in a four-nation tournament in LaManga, Spain. In 2012, the Bulldogs' head coach was in California, training the Under-20 U.S. Women's National Team as it began preparations for the FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup.

Demko played professionally with the Philadelphia Charge. She played two seasons in the WUSA, leading Philadelphia into the WUSA Founders Cup semifinals twice. Demko also had a successful professional career overseas, spending three years in Germany where she led Bayern Munich to a league championship. In addition, Demko captured a national title while playing with the W-League's Maryland Pride from 1994 to 1996.

Demko, who played soccer at Maryland under former U.S. National Team Coach April Heinrichs, was named to the Atlantic Coast Conference's 50th Anniversary Women's Soccer Team. While playing at Maryland, she served as a two-year captain and was voted MVP by her team. She also earned first-team All-ACC honors. Demko played in three Olympic Festivals (1994-96), as well as being called into national team training camps in 1995, 1996 and 1997. Demko also owns a cap with the U.S. Women's National Team while playing against Germany in 1997.