NFHCA proudly announces Class of 2024 Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement Award honoree
MANAHAWKIN, NJ — The National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) is extremely proud to reveal the Hall of Fame inductees for the class of 2024, along with the recipient of the 2024 NFHCA Lifetime Achievement Award.
Slated to be honored as the 25th class of the NFHCA Hall of Fame are current East Stroudsburg University head coach Sandy Miller, and Susan Pusey, former head coach at Pocomoke High School, who will be recognized with a posthumous induction. Former Bucknell University, Springbrook High School (MD), and Norwin High School (PA) head coach Heather Lewis has been tabbed as this year’s NFHCA’s Lifetime Achievement Award honoree.
“The Hall of Fame Committee is excited to recognize another phenomenal group of individuals, ranging from champions of the sport at the grassroots level to legendary contributors with impressive records and legacies,” said NFHCA Hall of Fame Committee Chair and Penn State University Associate Head Coach, Laura Gebhart. “The Committee and I were grateful to learn more about these phenomenal coaches and look forward to our broader community celebrating them and their remarkable accomplishments.”
The honorees, along with 2023 Hall of Fame inductee Paula Doughty, will be recognized on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at the NFHCA Hall of Fame Reception and Awards Dinner, the culminating event at the 2025 NFHCA Annual Convention in Lake Mary, Florida.
More About Our Honorees
Sandy Miller
Sandy Miller, who is entering her 40th season as head field hockey coach at East Stroudsburg University (ESU) in 2024, boasts an impressive career record of 497-287-11 and ranks third all-time for career victories in NCAA Division II. Over her decorated tenure, Miller has guided ESU to four Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) titles and two NCAA Division II championships, in 2015 and 2022. With 14 NCAA tournament appearances and five championship game berths, she has been a dominant force in field hockey. Miller has also earned numerous accolades, including five NFHCA DII Coaching Staff of the Year awards and two PSAC Coach of the Year honors. Her coaching legacy includes 66 individual All-Americans and notable achievements such as developing the first National Player of the Year for ESU in 2023. Beyond field hockey, Miller has contributed to ESU’s women’s lacrosse and women’s basketball programs, demonstrating her versatility and commitment to student-athlete development. Her teams have consistently excelled both on the field and in the classroom, with top GPAs and multiple NFHCA National Academic Squad selections.
“I am deeply humbled and honored to be inducted into the prestigious NFHCA Hall of Fame. It is with great excitement and heartfelt gratitude that I join this remarkable group of individuals who have made such a significant impact in our sport. This recognition is truly a testament to the dedication and support of so many throughout my career. Thank you for this incredible honor.”
Susan Pusey
Vianna Susan Pusey lived a life deeply rooted in Faith, Family, and Field Hockey, with her family—husband Danny, children Trever and Dylan, and grandchildren—being her greatest priorities. A devoted Health and Physical Education teacher at Pocomoke High School for 34 years, Susan’s coaching career, spanning from 1987 to 2014, was marked by extraordinary achievements: 16 Maryland State Championships, 23 state title appearances, 22 Regional Championships, and 12 Bayside South Conference Championships. Her career highlights include a remarkable “Triple Crown” state title and a perfect 1994 season without conceding a single goal. Ranking second in Maryland and tied for third nationally with eight consecutive state championships from 2003-2010, Pusey’s lifetime record boasts an impressive winning percentage of 85.42 percent across 391 games. Despite Pocomoke High’s small student population, her coaching excellence fostered a winning tradition. Beyond her impressive statistics, Pusey contributed significantly to the growth of field hockey through initiatives like the Shore Shot Field Hockey Camp, the Salvation Army Field Hockey League, and the Shore Field Hockey Club, which she co-founded in 1997. Her efforts expanded opportunities for Eastern Shore athletes, helping many advance to collegiate and national levels. Known for her unwavering support and inspirational mentorship, she profoundly impacted her players’ lives, from field hockey to personal milestones. Her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched, demonstrating that true success comes from believing in oneself and working together as a team.
“Susan Pusey was field hockey legend on the Eastern Shore. She was a force to be reckoned with – tough, direct, and a fierce competitor with a heart of gold. She would do anything to help her high school and club players succeed on and off the field. There was never a doubt that she loved them even while they were busy doing sprints or laps because they messed up. She was old school with kindness and it worked which is quite obvious by all her success. I was the recipient of many of her players over the years and was never disappointed in the effort and heart they brought with them. She was a great mentor for me as a young college coach on the shore, always willing to offer advice and guidance. To this day the past and current players know and respect her name…she will always be remembered and missed,” remarked Dawn Chamberlin, head field hockey coach and associate athletic director, Salisbury University.
Heather Lewis
Lewis’ coaching career began at Springbrook High School in Montgomery County, MD, where she served for three seasons (1986-1988), earning league Coach of the Year honors in 1986 and reaching the state semifinals that same year. She then moved to Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, MA, coaching for two seasons (1989-1990). Following this, Lewis was an assistant coach under Pam Hixon at the University of Massachusetts in 1991. In August 1992, she became the head field hockey and head women’s lacrosse coach at Bucknell University. Over 16 seasons (1992-2007) in field hockey, she was named Patriot League Coach of the Year in 1995, tied for career wins at 128, and set a record for most wins in a season with 14 in 1999. Lewis also coached lacrosse for four seasons (1993-1996). After leaving Bucknell in the summer of 2008, her final coaching stop was at Norwin High School, where she led the team to its first-ever PIAA District championship.
Lewis also served as a field hockey umpire from 2008 to 2014, achieving Level II National Certification and officiating at the Metro Atlantic Conference Championships and an NCAA Play-In Game. Her commitment to the sport extended to administrative roles, including serving as President (1999-2005) and Past-President (2006-2008) of the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA), Currently, she serves on the NFHCA Board of Directors in the designated Honorary member role. Lewis was also the Executive Vice President/Secretary of the USA Field Hockey Board of Directors, where she authored the association’s strategic plan (2007-2011). Additionally, she chaired the NCAA Student Records Review Committee (2019-2023) and was a member from 2014 to 2019.
“First off I’d like to thank Cate (NFHCA Executive Director Cate Clark) and the NFHCA Hall of Fame Committee. There’s just something really special about being honored by your peers. Looking back at previous honorees, I’m truly humbled to receive the NFHCA Lifetime Achievement Award and join such an esteemed group of coaches, and quite frankly, pioneers in our sport. I have been so blessed by our sport and I have, in turn, tried to give back as much as I have received. I know I haven’t come close but I’ll continue to try,” commented Lewis.
The Awards
The NFHCA Hall of Fame was established in 1999 to honor exceptional field hockey coaches, administrators, and umpires for their success on and off the field. The Class of 2024 will be the 25th cohort to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The NFHCA Lifetime Achievement Award was established in 2018 to distinguish a seasoned coach and their significant impact on our sport. With this award their courage, leadership, and strength are being recognized as well as their outstanding commitment to the sport of field hockey.
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.