Marnie Reidell – Staying in the Game
By Cassidy Strittmatter, NFHCA Digital Communications Team
Harrogate, TN – As field hockey continues to evolve and grow, so does the need for coaches who understand that success is measured not only in wins, but in the lives shaped along the way. For Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) head coach Marnie Reidell, the belief is at the heart of why she has chosen to stay in the game.
After serving as a graduate assistant coach at LMU, Reidell stepped into the role of head coach in 2024. What followed was a year defined by historic milestones for LMU: the first win in program history, the first winning streak, and the first conference victory. While these milestones were incredibly exciting for the program, Reidell shared that, “The excitement turned into a ‘not surprising’ attitude because we knew the work that we were putting in to get to these points.” With an unrelenting commitment to hard work and a focus to develop athletes on and off the field, Reidell is crafting a team culture that inspires success in all-facets of life.
A Model Student-Athlete
Prior to her success in the first year as a head coach, Reidell led her own career of excellence as a student-athlete for Lindenwood University, where she competed for the Lions from 2018-2021 and served as captain in her final season.
Off the field, Reidell was the team representative for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and held a ‘Scholar-Athlete’ distinction for three consecutive years. She was also a member of the 2018 NFHCA National Academic Squad. Those experiences helped shape her understanding of what coaching could and should be.
Staying in The Game
Reidell credits the women who coached her along the way as the reason she pursued a career in collegiate field hockey. “As a player, from high school to club to college, I had women that taught me how to be a good hockey player, but also a good person. They reminded me that who I was on the sideline or in the locker room was just as important as to who I was on the field.” This is what Reidell works to instill in her own athletes at LMU.
Recognizing the influence she holds as a coach, Reidell chooses to lead with vulnerability for her players. “I want them to see that it’s okay to struggle. I want them to see how I respond in tough situations. I want them to learn from my mistakes. If I hide all this and put up a front, they won’t be ready for life after college,” Reidell explained.
Reidell’s approach to growing the person, not just the athlete, is what great sports are all about. And for field hockey, it’s the foundation. Reidell is crafting that impact far outside of just her program at LMU–she is shaping the growth of the field hockey community for years to come.
Reidell’s approach reflects what the NFHCA Stay in the Game campaign is all about: retaining passionate coaches, empowering the next generation of leaders, and reinforcing the lasting value of field hockey beyond the scoreboard.
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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