McHale Selected as NFHCA 2025 Coaching Impact Award Recipient

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — The National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Awards Committee is proud to announce Nancy McHale as the 2025 recipient of the NFHCA Coaching Impact Award. A fixture in the field hockey community for more than four decades, McHale’s coaching legacy is marked not only by success on the field, but by the countless lives she has touched through mentorship, positivity, and an unwavering passion for the game.

The NFHCA Coaching Impact Award honors a club or scholastic coach who has made a significant and lasting impact on players and the broader field hockey community. McHale exemplifies the spirit of this award through her decades of service, leadership, and the powerful influence she continues to have on generations of athletes.

“Nancy is a staple in the field hockey community, especially in New Jersey,” shared Britney Ewan, who nominated McHale for the award. “She has encouraged, mentored, and guided generations of field hockey players. Many of her former athletes have gone on to coach and lead their own successful programs, and now she’s coaching the children of the players she mentored in the 1980s and 90s.”

McHale’s storied coaching career began over 40 years ago and includes more than two decades as the USA Futures Director for New Jersey, a role now part of what is known as the Nexus Program. She took over the Spirit of USA club program in the mid-1990s, where she continues to coach today, in addition to serving as an assistant coach with perennial powerhouse Camden Catholic High School. Her influence is visible in the success of former players like Tracey Griesbaum, a former collegiate All-American and longtime head coach at the University of Iowa, and in the formation of powerhouse club programs such as Powerhouse, Texas Pride, and Freedom—each founded by McHale’s former athletes.

“I’ve coached every level—from 8-year-olds to U-21s—driven purely by my love for the game. Whether it’s high school or USA Futures, my goal has always been simple: help each player make one improvement every game and build from there. To be recognized with this award is truly surreal, but it’s the joy of the game that has sustained me throughout my entire career,” McHale said.

“Nancy truly is the definition of ‘full circle,’” Ewan added. “I played for her at Spirit and as a USA Futures Elite Level 1 player, went on to play Division I at Quinnipiac University, and now I coach alongside her—where my daughter is lucky enough to learn from Nancy as well.”

Despite medical challenges—including a recent hip replacement and back surgery—McHale has remained a steady and inspiring presence on the sidelines. Often coaching from a walker or motorized scooter, her commitment to developing players never falters.

“She is loved by every player and parent she comes in contact with,” Ewan said. “Nancy is so knowledgeable about the game, but it’s her calm presence and approachable teaching style that set her apart. Whether it’s a high-stakes tournament or a youth clinic, she greets everyone with a smile and a hug and is always focused on helping others grow.”

In addition to her work with elite-level athletes, McHale remains especially devoted to working with beginners and young players—the “littles,” as she fondly calls them. Her enthusiasm for introducing the game to the next generation is as strong as ever.

The NFHCA is honored to celebrate Nancy McHale’s extraordinary career and her lasting contributions to the field hockey community. Through her passion, humility, and tireless commitment, she continues to be a beacon of inspiration—and a true example of what it means to “grow the game.”

Coaching Impact Award honorees will be celebrated at the 2026 NFHCA Annual Convention in Lake Mary, FL.

The National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) is a nonprofit organization serving field hockey coaches and supporters of the game from across the United States. The mission of the organization is to champion, strengthen, and celebrate field hockey coaches and the game. The NFHCA strives to cultivate and recognize the professional contributions of its membership and to foster and promote the growth of the sport. The NFHCA is responsible for providing a recognizable presence and voice in regard to legislation affecting the sport as well as interscholastic and intercollegiate programs.