Meharg Named Dita/NFHCA National Coach Of The Year
1/12/2002 7:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Jan. 12, 2002
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Maryland field hockey mentor Missy Meharg was named NFHCA (National Field Hockey Coaches Association) National Coach of the Year today at the organization's annual convention in Philadelphia. The Terrapins' 14-year head coach, who led the 2001 squad to a 20-4 record and a trip to the NCAA title game, received the honor for the fourth time in her career. The nation's collegiate and high school All-Americans, including Terp Dina Rizzo (Walpole, Mass.), were also honored at an awards luncheon.
Meharg, whose Terps captured their fourth consecutive ACC title in 2001 and made their third straight NCAA semifinals appearance this season, was also the recipient of national coach of the year honors in 1991, 1993 and 1999.
Maryland's all-time winningest field hockey coach with a career record of 227-76-9, Meharg was named Mid-Atlantic Regional Coach of the Year in 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1999 and 2001. Meharg's competition for national coach of the year included Syracuse's Kathleen Parker (Mideast Region), Northeastern's Cheryl Murtagh (Northeast), Old Dominion's Beth Anders (South) and Ohio's Shelly Morris (West).
Meharg is one of only four head coaches to have won multiple NCAA titles with two (1993 and 1999), and now ranks 13th all-time among Division I field hockey mentors in coaching victories. This season Meharg's Terps made their 14th NCAA tournament appearance, appeared in their fifth title game and captured their fifth ACC championship. The Terrapins' 20-4 record marked the third time in Maryland field hockey history that the squad has captured 20 or more wins in a season, and second in the last three years.
With four Terps selected to All-America teams this season, Meharg's student-athletes boast 57 such national honors in her 14 years. In addition, 72 Terps under Meharg have been selected to the NFHCA Academic Squad prior to the naming of the 2001-02 team this spring. Meharg has tutored 31 athletes that have played internationally, including one Olympian, Kate Kauffman, who played in the 1996 Atlanta games. Meharg also served as an assistant coach on that U.S. National Team in Atlanta.
"Coach of the Year accolades, like individual player awards, are just an extension of a great team and great coaching staff," said Meharg. "The international experience of Canadian Olympian Andrew Griffiths and longtime Terp coach Steve Simpson blends well with our new freshmen and experienced players, and that is what allows us to enjoy such great success."
Contact: Mark Fratto
301-314-8052 (Phone)
301-314-9094 (FAX)
301-314-TERP (FanFone)
fratto@wam.umd.edu
