NFHCA Welcomes Class of 2026 Honorary Members

Photo: Peel Hawthorne

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO —The National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) is proud to welcome five distinguished individuals into the Honorary Member Class of 2026.

The Honorary Member designation was created in 2021 to recognize and retain the expertise of former coaches, administrators, and association leaders. This distinction honors their legacy and preserves a meaningful connection between the NFHCA and the individuals who have shaped the past, present, and future of field hockey.

This year’s class features five former coaches whose leadership and lasting impact have helped elevate both the sport of field hockey and the NFHCA. They now join an esteemed group of Honorary Members that includes Olympians, NFHCA Hall of Fame inductees, and former NFHCA board members.

The 2026 Honorary Members include:

• Diane Chapman, former Garden City High School varsity coach and NFHCA Hall of Fame member
• Jenn Goodrich, former NFHCA Executive Director (23 years) and former Kent State University head coach
• Peel Hawthorne, former William & Mary head coach and former NFHCA Board of Directors member
• Christy Morgan, former James Madison University head coach and NFHCA Hall of Fame member
• Sally Starr, former Boston University head coach and NFHCA Hall of Fame member

The Honorary Member designation may be granted to individuals who are no longer actively coaching, provided they meet specific eligibility criteria. These include induction into the NFHCA Hall of Fame, receipt of the NFHCA Lifetime Achievement Award, a minimum of 15 years of coaching field hockey, prior recognition as a “Lifetime Member” of the NFHCA, or selection by the NFHCA Board of Directors for extraordinary service to the sport. A new class of Honorary Members is selected annually to join this distinguished group.

Honorary Members receive lifetime NFHCA membership, which includes full participation rights such as voting in association elections, engaging in committee work, and eligibility to serve as the honorary representative on the Board of Directors. They also retain access to all NFHCA member benefits and resources.

The NFHCA is honored to welcome this year’s class of Honorary Members. These respected individuals will continue to serve the association and the field hockey community through their insight, leadership, and commitment to the sport.

AstroTurf is the Official Sponsor of the 2026 NFHCA Annual Convention. With over 50 years of experience and millions and millions of square feet of synthetic turf in use worldwide, AstroTurf products bring more technological expertise and real-world know-how to the game than any other brand.