Ball State University Athletics
Sally Northcroft Named Ball State Field Hockey Coach
February 16, 2015 | Field Hockey
MUNCIE, Ind. - - Ball State University has selected Sally Northcroft, a two-time All-American for the Cardinals, as its new head field hockey coach. Mark Sandy, director of intercollegiate athletics, announced Northcroft as the seventh head coach in program history Monday.
A native of Harare, Zimbabwe, Northcroft has accumulated more than 14 years of experience in coaching and administration, including experience as an assistant coach at both Ball State and James Madison. Most recently, Northcroft has served as athletic director and field hockey coach at Brisbane Girls Grammar School in Australia for the past four years.
“We are pleased to announce the hiring of Sally Northcroft as our head field hockey coach,” said Pat Quinn, deputy athletics director and search committee leader. “Sally knows and understands our program and is an integral part of our rich field hockey tradition. She will provide excellent leadership and will serve as a solid role model and example for our student-athletes.”
Northcroft finished her four-year playing career for Ball State in 1999 as the Mid-American Conference leader in career goals (126) and career points (270). She led the nation as a senior in goals scored (52), total points (107) and scoring average (5.09), and her 52 goals set the national single-season record.
Northcroft helped the Cardinals to a 64-21 overall record, including a 42-4 conference record, and four MAC championships while playing for coach Karen Fitzpatrick. She was inducted into the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010 and the MAC Hall of Fame in 2014.
“How good is it to return to your alma mater to coach; there are not a lot of people who have that opportunity,” Northcroft said. “It is such a huge honor and such a huge responsibility. Having Karen Fitzpatrick as a mentor puts the standard really high, and I'm happy to strive for that level. I think the significant leadership positions I have held during my time in Australia have really given me the layers I need to do the best possible job I can.”
A two-time MAC Player of the Year (1998-99), Northcroft earned All-MAC First Team honors four consecutive seasons. She was a first-team All-American in both 1998 and 1999 and capped her career by winning the Honda Award, recognizing her as the top collegiate student-athlete in her sport. She was also named the NCAA Indiana Woman of the Year in 2000 following her senior campaign.
“Karen Fitzpatrick had the most incredible program at the time and was able to find something in me I didn't know existed at the time,” Northcroft said. “She had this incredible ability to bring people together, to bring the best out of them, and that's what Ball State was really about. It wasn't about superstars. It wasn't about one or two individuals. It was definitely about the team, and that was a huge part of our success.”
Northcroft excelled both on and off the field, earning GTE Academic All-America honors (1999-2000), Academic All-MAC First Team recognition (1997-98) and National Academic Team accolades (1996-98). She was the 1999-2000 Academic All-America Team Member of the Year and received the NCAA's Top VIII Award, which recognizes the top eight collegiate student-athletes in the nation.
Northcroft earned her bachelor's degree in physical education at Ball State in 2000 and went on to complete her master's degree in exercise physiology at James Madison in 2004. She served as an assistant coach for Ball State in Fitzpatrick's final season in 2000 and then spent three years as an assistant coach at James Madison.
Northcroft then made the move to Australia, where she served as the head field hockey coach at Somerset College in Mudgeeraba, Queensland. In 2011, she took on her current role as athletic director and coach at Brisbane Girls Grammar School.
“I decided it was time to branch out and move to Australia, but in the time I have been here, a piece of my heart has always remained in Muncie,” Northcroft said. “I had wonderful memories there and the best friendships, and I formed this strong bond with a lot of people who I still remain very close with.”
