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National Champion, Trailblazer, Legend: Christy Morgan Announces Retirement After 21 Seasons at JMU
2/19/2026 3:30:00 PM | Field Hockey
HARRISONBURG, Va. – Head Coach Christy Morgan – a pillar of the field hockey and James Madison Athletics community – has announced her retirement after 21 seasons in Harrisonburg.
"After 21 remarkable years leading the James Madison University field hockey program, I am announcing my retirement due to some current health issues," said Morgan. "This decision comes with a heavy heart, but I am filled with immense gratitude for the incredible journey I have experienced."
Morgan took over the reins of the field hockey program in 1991, the same year that James Madison field hockey joined the Colonial Athletic Association. Just three seasons later, Morgan led the Dukes to their first-ever national championship when JMU defeated top-ranked North Carolina in penalty strokes for the 1994 NCAA title. She became the first person in NCAA field hockey history to win a national championship as both a coach and a player (Old Dominion – 1982, '83, '84).
"Over the past two decades, I have had the privilege of coaching some of the most talented and dedicated athletes, witnessing their growth both on and off the field," added Morgan. "I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Jeff Bourne and Kevin White for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to return to JMU for a second stint. I want to thank my supervisor, Stephen LaPorta, for supporting me on my journey. I'd also like to thank Director of Athletics Matt Roan, who continues to lead the department to greatness. I want to thank my players, the JMU community, and our loyal alumni who have supported me throughout my tenure. Your belief in me and our program has been pivotal in creating the successful and passionate team we have today."
She was a three-time All-American at ODU and won the 1984 Honda Award for Field Hockey, awarded to the top player in the nation. She spent eight years on the U.S. National Team (1982-1990), two seasons with the U.S. World Cup Team (1983, '86), and was a member of the U.S. Olympic Team in 1988.
"Christy Morgan has helped establish the standard of excellence at JMU across her 21 seasons and two different stints as head coach," Roan said. "Many successes have been experienced with Christy's leadership, including the 1994 national championship, multiple conference titles, and countless accolades. But most noteworthy, Christy has efforted to positively impact student-athletes across generations of JMU field hockey student-athletes. She has driven them to be their best on and off the field, and to represent JMU with passion and pride during their time on campus and beyond it. So many have been positively impacted by her mentorship and her individual care for each of them. She has been a champion for the sport that she loves. A hall of famer, national champion, and friend, we'd like to congratulate Coach Morgan. We look forward to celebrating her career and wish her the absolute best in her retirement."
Over the course of her illustrious career, Morgan was named to the JMU Athletics Hall of Fame (2004), USA Field Hockey Hall of Fame (2004), NFHCA Hall of Fame (2023), and Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame (2025).
"It has been an absolute honor and privilege working with Coach Morgan these past couple of years," said Associate Head Coach Morgan DeMann. "Her authentic way of being and coaching is what has made her so successful and impactful, not only at James Madison but also throughout the hockey world. Her dedication to this sport and to all the players she has coached is something that is so rare, but it is the reason this program is in a league of its own. Coach is the most caring and selfless person I know, and this program, university, and sport are better because she has given her all day in and day out. I am forever grateful for her mentorship, friendship, and the standard she has set for coaches everywhere."
The winningest coach in program history, Morgan tallied 257 victories during her 21-year tenure (1991-99, 2014-2025), mentoring 81 all-conference selections, 64 all-region athletes, and 27 All-Americans The Norristown, Pa. native helped guide the Dukes to five NCAA Tournament berths (1993-95, '97, '99), including back-to-back final-four appearances (1994-95).
"It has been one of my greatest honors to have worked alongside Coach Morgan," added Assistant Coach Ethan Larsen. "Her energy and passion have been contagious in every moment, and her expertise and vision have shaped not only our program but the whole field hockey community. She has an amazing gift for making hard work feel joyful, for building true collaboration, and creating an environment where growth was expected and supported.
She believed deeply in us, challenged us daily, and always did so with the utmost respect and care. In difficult moments, she was steady and wise, guiding with honesty and heart. She didn't just lead, she invested. To put it simply, she is the best mentor I could have asked for, and I can confidently say I am a better coach and person because of her! Massive congratulations and happy retirement, Coach!"
With JMU joining the Sun Belt Conference entering the 2022-23 academic year, Morgan led her program through two years as an independent program, notching four wins over ranked opponents during that time.
"Christy has left an immeasurable impact on this program, and not just with her incredible success on the field," said Associate Director of Sports Medicine Lauryn Keynon. "Her ability to share her passion with a full heart, building relationships, and the resulting character I watch develop in these young women - wow, that's truly the magic she has created and shared with every single one of us. It's been an honor to work alongside a friend for almost a decade, and I'll be forever changed by her mentorship. I'm excited to watch her thrive in her next chapter of life!"
The field hockey program joined the Mid-American Conference prior to the 2024 season and saw immediate success. That fall, Coach Morgan led the Dukes to a 14-6 record with a 7-1 mark in league play as JMU tied for the regular-season title and finished runner-up at the conference tournament. For her efforts, she was named MAC Coach of the Year, and Alice Roeper earned the Offensive MAC Player of the Year award. In total, six Dukes earned all-conference honors, while three earned spots on the NFHCA All-South Region team.
In her final season in Harrisonburg, the Dukes went 12-8 (6-3 MAC), with five players earning All-MAC honors and two named all-region. JMU notched its first top-10 win since 2008 with a 3-1 victory over No. 8 Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Dukes reached the Mid-American Conference Championship Semifinals, falling to top-seeded Miami (Ohio), 2-1. Her team wrapped up the season 18th in the nation in goals per game (2.7), with Madelief Molier finishing 19th in Division I in goals per game (0.82).
Morgan led JMU to a conference tournament appearance every year since she rejoined the coaching staff in 2014 (excluding the independent seasons in 2022 and 2023), including six conference championship game appearances.
By the Numbers (1991-99, 2014-2025):
"After 21 remarkable years leading the James Madison University field hockey program, I am announcing my retirement due to some current health issues," said Morgan. "This decision comes with a heavy heart, but I am filled with immense gratitude for the incredible journey I have experienced."
Morgan took over the reins of the field hockey program in 1991, the same year that James Madison field hockey joined the Colonial Athletic Association. Just three seasons later, Morgan led the Dukes to their first-ever national championship when JMU defeated top-ranked North Carolina in penalty strokes for the 1994 NCAA title. She became the first person in NCAA field hockey history to win a national championship as both a coach and a player (Old Dominion – 1982, '83, '84).
"Over the past two decades, I have had the privilege of coaching some of the most talented and dedicated athletes, witnessing their growth both on and off the field," added Morgan. "I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Jeff Bourne and Kevin White for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to return to JMU for a second stint. I want to thank my supervisor, Stephen LaPorta, for supporting me on my journey. I'd also like to thank Director of Athletics Matt Roan, who continues to lead the department to greatness. I want to thank my players, the JMU community, and our loyal alumni who have supported me throughout my tenure. Your belief in me and our program has been pivotal in creating the successful and passionate team we have today."
She was a three-time All-American at ODU and won the 1984 Honda Award for Field Hockey, awarded to the top player in the nation. She spent eight years on the U.S. National Team (1982-1990), two seasons with the U.S. World Cup Team (1983, '86), and was a member of the U.S. Olympic Team in 1988.
"Christy Morgan has helped establish the standard of excellence at JMU across her 21 seasons and two different stints as head coach," Roan said. "Many successes have been experienced with Christy's leadership, including the 1994 national championship, multiple conference titles, and countless accolades. But most noteworthy, Christy has efforted to positively impact student-athletes across generations of JMU field hockey student-athletes. She has driven them to be their best on and off the field, and to represent JMU with passion and pride during their time on campus and beyond it. So many have been positively impacted by her mentorship and her individual care for each of them. She has been a champion for the sport that she loves. A hall of famer, national champion, and friend, we'd like to congratulate Coach Morgan. We look forward to celebrating her career and wish her the absolute best in her retirement."
Over the course of her illustrious career, Morgan was named to the JMU Athletics Hall of Fame (2004), USA Field Hockey Hall of Fame (2004), NFHCA Hall of Fame (2023), and Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame (2025).
"It has been an absolute honor and privilege working with Coach Morgan these past couple of years," said Associate Head Coach Morgan DeMann. "Her authentic way of being and coaching is what has made her so successful and impactful, not only at James Madison but also throughout the hockey world. Her dedication to this sport and to all the players she has coached is something that is so rare, but it is the reason this program is in a league of its own. Coach is the most caring and selfless person I know, and this program, university, and sport are better because she has given her all day in and day out. I am forever grateful for her mentorship, friendship, and the standard she has set for coaches everywhere."
The winningest coach in program history, Morgan tallied 257 victories during her 21-year tenure (1991-99, 2014-2025), mentoring 81 all-conference selections, 64 all-region athletes, and 27 All-Americans The Norristown, Pa. native helped guide the Dukes to five NCAA Tournament berths (1993-95, '97, '99), including back-to-back final-four appearances (1994-95).
"It has been one of my greatest honors to have worked alongside Coach Morgan," added Assistant Coach Ethan Larsen. "Her energy and passion have been contagious in every moment, and her expertise and vision have shaped not only our program but the whole field hockey community. She has an amazing gift for making hard work feel joyful, for building true collaboration, and creating an environment where growth was expected and supported.
She believed deeply in us, challenged us daily, and always did so with the utmost respect and care. In difficult moments, she was steady and wise, guiding with honesty and heart. She didn't just lead, she invested. To put it simply, she is the best mentor I could have asked for, and I can confidently say I am a better coach and person because of her! Massive congratulations and happy retirement, Coach!"
With JMU joining the Sun Belt Conference entering the 2022-23 academic year, Morgan led her program through two years as an independent program, notching four wins over ranked opponents during that time.
"Christy has left an immeasurable impact on this program, and not just with her incredible success on the field," said Associate Director of Sports Medicine Lauryn Keynon. "Her ability to share her passion with a full heart, building relationships, and the resulting character I watch develop in these young women - wow, that's truly the magic she has created and shared with every single one of us. It's been an honor to work alongside a friend for almost a decade, and I'll be forever changed by her mentorship. I'm excited to watch her thrive in her next chapter of life!"
The field hockey program joined the Mid-American Conference prior to the 2024 season and saw immediate success. That fall, Coach Morgan led the Dukes to a 14-6 record with a 7-1 mark in league play as JMU tied for the regular-season title and finished runner-up at the conference tournament. For her efforts, she was named MAC Coach of the Year, and Alice Roeper earned the Offensive MAC Player of the Year award. In total, six Dukes earned all-conference honors, while three earned spots on the NFHCA All-South Region team.
In her final season in Harrisonburg, the Dukes went 12-8 (6-3 MAC), with five players earning All-MAC honors and two named all-region. JMU notched its first top-10 win since 2008 with a 3-1 victory over No. 8 Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Dukes reached the Mid-American Conference Championship Semifinals, falling to top-seeded Miami (Ohio), 2-1. Her team wrapped up the season 18th in the nation in goals per game (2.7), with Madelief Molier finishing 19th in Division I in goals per game (0.82).
Morgan led JMU to a conference tournament appearance every year since she rejoined the coaching staff in 2014 (excluding the independent seasons in 2022 and 2023), including six conference championship game appearances.
By the Numbers (1991-99, 2014-2025):
- 4 National Championships (3 – ODU, 1 JMU)
- 257 Career Wins at JMU
- 81 All-Conference Selections
- 64 All-Region Players
- 27 All-Americans
- 5 NCAA Tournament Berths
Players Mentioned
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