Greenleigh McGehee – Staying in the Game

By Cassidy Strittmatter, NFHCA Digital Communications Team

KUTZTOWN, PA – Most athletes experience the sport of field hockey on only one side of the whistle. But for this Kutztown University alum and standout Greenleigh McGehee, staying part of the game meant stepping onto the turf in a new role—this time as the one holding the whistle.

Just three days after finishing her career with the Golden Bears, Greenleigh McGehee was already traveling to a USA Field Hockey tournament as an official. Her umpire journey had begun only months earlier, sparked by a desire to stay involved with field hockey after her senior season. Picking up a whistle, she shared, gave her “a deeper appreciation for the rules, the flow of the play, and the importance of umpires.”     

A Standout Career

Before joining the officiating community, McGehee made her mark as a standout collegiate athlete with the Golden Bears:

• Started every game in both 2024 and 2023, totaling 44 consecutive starts
• Posted 10 goals and 7 assists for 27 points across her junior and senior seasons
• Tallied 53 total shots with 39 on goal across 2023-2024
• Made 17 appearances as a sophomore and six games as a freshman, scoring in her collegiate debut as a first-year player

With two Division II semifinal appearances, a 2024 NCAA Division II National Championship, and a senior captaincy, McGehee matched her athletic success in the classroom as a four-time NFHCA National Academic Squad honoree and a two-time PSAC Conference Scholar-Athlete (2021-2022). 

Staying in the Game

When asked what motivated her to pursue officiating after graduation, McGehee credits her love for the sport, along with the encouragement of those in the officiating community. During her junior year, she reached out to her friend and former teammate, Erika Barbara, to learn how to get started with USA Field Hockey and the PIAA. That outreach opened a new door.

While umpires often shoulder criticism, McGehee believes the most rewarding moments come when coaches or players express gratitude. McGehee explained, “Umpires are human and can make mistakes, but we also see the game through a different lens. When coaches or players show respect and appreciate the work that goes into umpiring behind the scenes, it confirms that I made a great decision staying in the game.”

For players unsure how to stay involved after their playing days end, McGehee’s encouragement is to explore the possibilities. The final whistle doesn’t have to mean the end of a field hockey career–it can be the start of a new one. Through officiating, McGehee has discovered a new way to grow, give back to others, and stay connected to the sport she loves.

Stories like McGehee’s remind us that the game doesn’t end after the final whistle. Through the NFHCA’s Stay in the Game campaign, coaches, umpires, and former players can find new ways to stay involved in the sport—whether it’s leading from the sideline, officiating the next big matchup, or mentoring the next generation of athletes.

Learn more about how you can Stay in the Game.

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