Hannah Maisano – Staying in the Game
By Cassidy Strittmatter, NFHCA Digital Communications Team
Gambrills, Md. — Acknowledging that an athletic career has an expiration date can feel daunting. For Hannah Maisano, it became an opportunity.
Rather than stepping away from field hockey when her playing days would eventually end, Maisano found a way to remain part of the competition. By picking up a whistle, she ensured that the final whistle she would hear on the pitch would be her own.
Maisano began officiating field hockey while she was still a high school player. Her father, Frank Maisano, is a longtime field hockey umpire, and his involvement exposed her to a pathway many athletes do not consider until after their playing careers conclude. Seeing officiating up close made staying connected to the sport a real possibility early on.
More Than a Player
Becoming an umpire at a young age provided lessons that shaped Maisano’s growth beyond the pitch.
“It gave me an understanding of what it means to set aside my personal ambitions to best serve something more important than myself,” she said.
Her early commitment to officiating expanded her connection to the field hockey community, reinforcing a sense of responsibility and service that complemented her competitive drive.
While simultaneously officiating and playing, Maisano went on to lead a collegiate playing career at Wellesley College, balancing both roles and gaining a deeper understanding of the game from multiple perspectives.
Staying in The Game
When asked what makes officiating so rewarding, Maisano points to the unique role umpires play in the sport.
“There’s an addictive quality to umpiring once you really feel it,” she said. “Unlike other sports, we are active participants in the game.”
The adrenaline of working a fast-paced, well-played match — while helping maintain the flow, fairness, and integrity of play — is what keeps her coming back.
Officiating has also introduced Maisano to a global community rooted in shared passion.
“It has introduced me to people from all different walks of life and all over the world, all tied together by a love of field hockey and umpiring,” she said.
By choosing to give back to the sport that shaped her, Maisano exemplifies how officiating can be a meaningful and impactful next chapter — one that allows athletes to remain connected long after their playing days are over.
Stay in The Game
Field hockey needs players, coaches, officials and leaders at every stage of the journey. Whether you’re nearing the end of your playing career or simply exploring what comes next, officiating, and coaching offer powerful ways to stay involved, stay connected and give back to the game. Learn more about pathways to stay in the game and help shape its future here.
Learn more about how you can Stay in the Game.
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