Michigan State Spartans field hockey

The Michigan State Spartans field hockey team is the intercollegiate field hockey program representing Michigan State University. The school competes in the Big Ten Conference in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Michigan State field hockey team plays its home games at the MSU Field Hockey Complex at Ralph Young Field on the university campus in East Lansing, Michigan. Since the field hockey program was established in 1972, the Spartans have won four Big Ten regular-season championships, four Big Ten tournament titles, and have appeared in the NCAA tournament nine times. The team is currently coached by Helen Knull.

Michigan State Spartans field hockey
Michigan State Spartans field hockey athletic logo
UniversityMichigan State University
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
Head coachHelen Knull
FieldMSU Field Hockey Complex at Ralph Young Field
Capacity: 1,500
LocationEast Lansing, Michigan
ColorsGreen and white[1]
   

History

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Field hockey has been a varsity sport at Michigan State University since 1972.[2] The Spartans have competed as a member of the Big Ten Conference from 1981 to 1988 and again since 1992. From 1989 to 1991, Michigan State played in the Midwestern Collegiate Field Hockey Conference (MCFHC).[3] Although the Spartans had never won a Big Ten championship (either in the regular-season or the tournament) or appeared in the NCAA tournament before 2001, they have found considerable success in the 21st century under the guidance of head coaches Michele Madison (1993–2005), Rolf van de Kerkhof (2006–10), and Helen Knull (2011–present).[2][3] In the new millennium, Michigan State has won four Big Ten regular-season championships (2001, 2003, 2004, and 2009), four Big Ten tournament titles (2002, 2003, 2009, and 2013), and has qualified for the NCAA tournament nine times (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2013).[3][4][5] The Spartans have advanced to the NCAA semifinals twice, in 2002 and 2004.[3][4]

Head coaching records

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The 2014 Michigan State field hockey team in action at Michigan
Head Coach Years Seasons Overall Pct. Best Year NCAA Berths
Mikki Baile 1972–74 3 14–4–8 .692 1974 (8–2–1)
Diane Ulibarri 1975–76 2 18–4–1 .804 1976 (10–3)
Samnoa Kajornsin 1977–79 3 39–15–8 .694 1979 (17–8–2)
Nancy Reed 1980–81 2 24–17–2 .581 1981 (12–7–2)
Rich Kimball 1982–88 7 43–79–9 .363 1987 (9–8–5) 0
Martha Ludwig 1989–92 4 20–57–5 .274 1989 (6–12–2) 0
Michele Madison 1993–2005 13 155–116–2 .571 2002 (23–3) 4
Rolf van de Kerkhof 2006–10 5 74–34 .685 2009 (18–4) 4
Helen Knull 2011–present 4 41–42 .494 2013 (14–10) 1

Head coaching records through the end of the 2014 season[2][3][6]

Awards and accolades

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Conference championships

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Michigan State has won four regular-season conference titles, all in the Big Ten Conference.[3]

Year Coach Conference Record Conference NCAA Result
2001 Michele Madison 5–1 Big Ten NCAA 2nd Round
2003 5–1 Big Ten NCAA 2nd Round
2004 5–1 Big Ten NCAA Final Four
2009 Rolf van de Kerkhof 6–0 Big Ten NCAA 2nd Round
4 Conference Championships
4 Big Ten Championships

All-Americans

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Key

   First-team selection 

   Second-team selection 

   Third-team selection 

Awards and accolades through the end of the 2014 season[2][3][4][7][8]

Stadium

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Michigan State has played its home games at the MSU Field Hockey Complex at Ralph Young Field since September 2002. Ralph Young Field, which the field hockey program shares with the Spartan track and field team, was originally dedicated in April 1937 during a dual meet featuring Michigan State and the University of Chicago. At the turn of the 21st century, the university renovated the venue to enable it to host the field hockey team as well as its track and field counterpart. Located adjacent to Spartan Stadium, Ralph Young Field has a seating capacity of 1,500 and features an AstroTurf 12 playing surface. Its press box has a roof-mounted camera platform as well as seating for members of the media. Ralph Young Field also has permanent lighting that enables the Spartan field hockey team to play night games.[9]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Brand Reference Guide" (PDF). April 1, 2023. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d "Field Hockey Coaching Records". MSUSpartans.com. Michigan State University. Archived from the original on 11 July 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Big Ten Field Hockey Record Book" (PDF). BigTen.org. Big Ten Conference. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 October 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  4. ^ a b c "Field Hockey Postseason History". MSUSpartans.com. Michigan State University. Archived from the original on 11 July 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  5. ^ "Field Hockey Big Ten Championship History". MSUSpartans.com. Michigan State University. Archived from the original on 11 July 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  6. ^ "2014 Field Hockey Standings". BigTen.org. Big Ten Conference. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  7. ^ "Field Hockey All-Americans". MSUSpartans.com. Michigan State University. Archived from the original on 11 July 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  8. ^ "Eleven Big Ten Players Earn NFHCA All-America Honors". BTN.com. Big Ten Network. December 1, 2014. Archived from the original on 5 December 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  9. ^ "Ralph Young Field". MSUSpartans.com. Michigan State University. Archived from the original on 1 August 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
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