Sally Starr to be inducted into NFHCA Hall of Fame

Boston University field hockey coach Sally Starr will be inducted into the Zag Field Hockey/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Hall of Fame as part of its Class of 2014 following an announcement made by the NFHCA office Wednesday.

Starr currently stands sixth amongst active Division I coaches in victories with 414, 395 of which have come during her 33-year tenure at BU. In the last 29 years, BU has finished the season ranked in the top 20 nationally 21 times. Under Starr’s guidance, BU has reached new heights, winning eight conference tournaments and earning 10 berths in the NCAA Tournament.

After beginning her coaching career at the University of New Hampshire in 1978 as the head coach of the Wildcats’ junior varsity team, Starr quickly gained recognition on the national radar, becoming the head coach of Bucknell University in 1979. Two years later, Starr would accept the head coaching position at BU.

Just two years into her illustrious career with the Terriers, Starr oversaw the program’s transition into Division I play. Starr has coached 35 All-Americans, 12 conference Player of the Year award-winners and 106 All-Conference nominees. In addition, 13 of her former players have been elected to the BU Athletic Hall of Fame.

Starr’s success has not diminished as time has gone on, with the 2013 squad producing a 13-7 (5-1 Patriot League) record in the Terriers’ inaugural season in the Patriot League. BU made a late-season run into the conference final, but was ultimately dismissed by Patriot League champion American University.

It should be another promising campaign for Starr and the Terriers this season, as four All-Conference nominees will return to the friendly confines of New Balance Field. The Terriers’ regular-season opener will be August 29 in a home tilt against Northwestern University.