Olympian Profile: Missy Meharg

Sport/Country: Women's Field Hockey (Assistant Coach) - United States
Olympic Games: 1996 Atlanta

Missy Meharg was an assistant coach on the United States women's field hockey team that competed in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. She coached one of her players at Maryland, Katie Kauffman, who was also Maryland field hockey's first Olympian. The U.S. placed fifth.

Meharg enters her 37th season at the helm of the Maryland field hockey program in 2024 as one of the greatest coaches in the University of Maryland's history. Voted National Coach of the Year an unprecedented nine times, Meharg has exemplified the tradition of excellence Maryland field hockey has become known for. She has led the program to seven national championships, 21 NCAA Final Fours, and 27 conference championships, solidifying the Terrapins' position among the top programs in the nation.

Maryland's all-time winningest coach in any sport, Meharg served on the U.S. national team coaching staff from 1993-97. She also assisted in the 1994 World Cup and the 1995 Pan American Games.

Meharg was inducted into the D.C. Sports Hall of Fame, the University of Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009, the NFHCA Hall of Fame, the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame, and the University of Delaware Hall of Fame — her alma mater.

Eleven of Meharg's Maryland players have gone on to make Olympic rosters. Kauffman, Lauren Powley, Dina Rizzo, Sarah Silvetti, Keli Smith Puzo, Katie O'Donnell Bam, and Jill Witmer were prior Olympians. Leah Crouse, Brooke DeBerdine, Emma DeBerdine, and Kelee Lepage will compete in the 2024 Paris Games.

In 2012, Meharg worked as the color commentator for NBC for coverage of the Olympic Games in London.

Print Friendly Version

#Olympics

Players Mentioned

#16 Emma DeBerdine: M; Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

#16 Emma DeBerdine
: Graduate Student
: M

Players Mentioned

#16 Emma DeBerdine

Players Mentioned

#16 Emma DeBerdine