Kirstin Gebhart – Staying in the Game
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — With a field hockey background that spans many aspects of the game, Kirstin Gebhart represents what it means to stay in the game. Field hockey is something that has always been a part of Gebhart’s life and has come through many different roles.
A Journey Through Field Hockey
Gebhart grew up surrounded by field hockey but never planned to pursue a career in the sport. Since graduating from American University, where she was a student-athlete, she has given back to the field hockey community as a coach, umpire, broadcaster, NFHCA senior director of communications and member services, and co-host of the Pitch Session podcast.
“Field hockey has always been there—sometimes it’s in the background, sometimes it’s a central part of my life,” Gebhart said. “Even when I try to step back from it, it’s still so much a part of who I am.”
Staying in the game has taken several forms for Gebhart. Each role has brought her back to a community that offers meaningful connections and an outlet from a busy life.
Many Roles, One Passion
Gebhart’s path through field hockey has taken several turns. After nearly five years as an assistant coach at the University of Louisville and American University, she spent more than four years with the NFHCA, working in communications, marketing, and member services.
Her first coaching opportunity came at Louisville, where head coach Justine Sowry hired her shortly after she graduated from American.
“I learned so much as a student-athlete at AU under the tutelage of Steve Jennings and Sarah Krombolz, and in many ways I didn’t want to put away the knowledge I had gained,” Gebhart said. “I found an opportunity to apply all that I learned in coaching.”
Along the way, she also tried umpiring and broadcasting. Today, she is in her second season as a part-time assistant coach at SUNY Geneseo and co-hosts the Pitch Session podcast. Each role has given her a different way of contributing to the sport and staying connected to its community.
For Gebhart, field hockey continues to provide “a really special community and a deep connection with so many people from very different periods” in her life.
Returning to the Sidelines
Two years ago, SUNY Geneseo head coach Margaret McConnell encouraged Gebhart to return to coaching.
“She was persistent and persuasive, so now I’m in my second year helping at [SUNY] Geneseo and am so glad that she convinced me to get involved again,” Gebhart said.
She credits her family, friends, and colleagues in helping her stay connected to the sport. Her involvement in those various roles, she explained, came down to “having really wonderful and encouraging people” in her corner. “Without others putting my name forward or telling me to go for it, I don’t think I would have had the confidence to give coaching, or umpiring, or broadcasting a try,” Gebhart added.
Staying Connected to the Game
Although Gebhart did not plan to build a career around field hockey, her passion and knowledge helped her find ways to remain involved. She now encourages coaches to help current student-athletes do the same.
“I wouldn’t have had half of the opportunities I’ve been provided without the encouragement of my coaches and colleagues,” said Gebhart. “I think we could all take more of an active role in promoting coaching and umpiring to our most engaged student-athletes.”
As a coach, Gebhart is inspired by the way players continue to engage with the sport.
“While we’re inundated with so much that is artificial and digital, the pitch is an incredible place where that’s all put aside and we’re given an opportunity to physically and mentally work through these interesting challenges,” she said.
Staying involved in field hockey can take many forms, and Gebhart’s journey illustrates the many ways to keep the sport in your life. “Whatever your strengths are, there is a place for you to move the needle forward in the field hockey world,” she said.
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 how you can Stay in the Game.
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