Hutchinson Elected to National Field Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame

BLOOMSBURG - The truly great college coaches of our time include names such as Penn State's Joe Paterno, Duke's Mike Krzyzewski, and Tennessee's Pat Summit among others. But one college coach who has won more games and more national titles than any of those coaches is Bloomsburg University's Jan Hutchinson.

If you question the name of Jan Hutchinson to this list of heavyweights in the college coaching ranks, look no further than 1,500 wins, 13 national championships and two national Halls of Fame.

Hutchinson, already a member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association's Hall of Fame, will add the Hall of Fame award from the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) this weekend to her long and illustrious resume of success.

Hutchinson's selection to the NFHCA puts her in the unique position of being selected to the national Halls of Fame in two sports.

"This is an incredible honor and one that I am very proud of," said Hutchinson. "Of course, it would not have been possible without all the help I've had from my assistants over the years and, of course, the players themselves. They have all been wonderful to coach over the years and this award is as much for them as it for me."

What has Hutchinson done to earn selection into the NFHCA Hall of Fame? What hasn't she done should be the question.

As field hockey coach at Bloomsburg for 28 years, Hutchinson has guided the Huskies to 12 national championships and 13 conference titles. She is also the NCAA's all-time leader in career field hockey wins with a record of 501-69-20, posting winning seasons in 27 of her 28 seasons.

Under Hutchinson, the Huskies have enjoyed many outstanding seasons and have won 16 or more games on 22 occasions. Her teams won national championships in 1981, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and also have nine national runner-up finishes. Her string of four straight titles (1996-99) was the first time in the history of NCAA field hockey that the feat was accomplished.

In addition, the Huskies captured Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championships in 1983, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and have garnered eight runner-up showings. Four times, 1991, 1998, 2002 and 2004 Hutchinson has been chosen as the national "Coach of the Year."

Hutchinson has also coached 47 players to 85 All-American awards, including four following the 2005 season. Nine Bloomsburg players have also been named national "Player of the Year" under Hutchinson's guidance, the most of any coach in Division II.

Hutchinson also serves as head coach for the Huskies' highly successful softball program. In her 28 seasons as head coach she has posted a record of 1,003-226-2 and is second all-time in NCAA Division II history in victories. She needs just nine more wins to surpass Sandy Jerstad as Division II's all-time win leader. Overall, among all divisions, Hutchinson is seventh in career victories and winning percentage.

The Huskies have made an NCAA record 23 consecutive trips to the NCAA championship tournament and have also played in and won more NCAA tournament games than any other Division II school.

Bloomsburg has been to the championship round nine of the last 16 seasons, twice finishing as the national runner-up with losses each time in extra innings in the national title game, six third-place showings and two fourth-place finishes. The Huskies also won the 1982 AIAW national championship.

The Huskies have also won 14 of the last 24 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) conference crowns. In addition, her players have enjoyed recognition in softball with 31 players earning 52 All-American awards. She has also been named national Coach of the Year once in her career.

Between the two sports, Hutchinson has won 1,504 games, while losing 295 with 22 ties. She is the only woman coach and just the fourth coach overall to achieve 1,500 career wins.

Bloomsburg University athletic director Mary Gardner is thrilled for Hutchinson and is proud of all she has accomplished.

"Jan's coaching success is phenomenal," said Gardner. "She has been the anchor for Bloomsburg University's high profile of athletic success throughout the years. Jan's success at the university is measured beyond her win/loss record as a coach. More importantly, she has been a role model and mentor to hundreds of student athletes, both male and female. She works tirelessly recruiting for two sports and her effectiveness is evident year after year. Her latest induction into the NFHCA Hall of Fame is most deserving."

A native of Newton, NJ, Hutchinson received her bachelor of science and master of education degrees from East Stroudsburg University. She was formerly a member of the faculty at Blair Academy where she initiated the women's physical education and interscholastic sports programs. She has also been inducted into the Newton High School and Sussex County (NJ) Halls of Fame. The Bloomsburg softball field is named in her honor.