Whitcomb Foundation Empowers Assistant Coaches and Boosts DEI Fund

GENEVA, N.Y. — In an extraordinary gesture of support, the Richard and Barbara Whitcomb Foundation has generously donated $9,000 to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) to facilitate the attendance of assistant field hockey coaches at the NFHCA Annual Convention. This impactful gift is not only dedicated to supporting assistant coaches’ attendance but also includes a significant allocation to the NFHCA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Social Impact Fund.

Andy Whitcomb, Executive Director of the foundation, shared her personal connection to the challenges faced by assistant coaches and her enthusiasm for supporting their professional development.

“I feel extremely lucky that I am able to give back to a profession that has given so much to me. I, too, was once that assistant coach who had to fund one’s way to the convention, and there were other times early in my career that it was cost-prohibitive and prevented me from attending,” reflected Whitcomb.

The comprehensive donation not only covers convention fees but also includes provisions for hotel accommodations and airfare, ensuring that recipients face as little financial strain as possible.

“The NFHCA Convention, in my opinion, is the single most impactful professional development event that one can attend, and in-person attendance is crucial. It was important to me that the recipients incur as little cost as possible, so being able to include the hotel, the airfare, and the convention registration fees was something we were thrilled to be able to do,” emphasized Whitcomb.

As part of this donation, the foundation will support six assistant coaches by covering their 2025 NFHCA Annual Convention registration fee, providing three nights in the host hotel, and covering airfare costs up to $500. Two of these exclusive Whitcomb Foundation packages will be raffled off on January 10 of the 2024 convention at the Welcome Reception sponsored by AstroTurf, while the remaining four Whitcomb Foundation packages will be available through an application process to be opened following the 2024 Annual Convention. Moreover, a portion of the contribution will be directed towards the NFHCA DEI Social Impact Fund, demonstrating a dual commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the field hockey coaching community.

The NFHCA extends its sincere appreciation to the Richard and Barbara Whitcomb Foundation for this transformative donation, recognizing its profound impact on both the professional development of assistant coaches and the promotion of diversity and inclusivity in the field hockey realm.

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 stimulate the professional development of coaching leadership within the sport of field hockey. 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.