Ball State Selects Stephanie Bernthal as Field Hockey Head Coach
February 28, 2018 | Field Hockey
MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Mark Sandy announced Stephanie Bernthal as the Cardinals' new field hockey head coach Wednesday afternoon. Bernthal takes over as the program's ninth head coach.
"We are thrilled to have Stephanie join us as our field hockey head coach," Sandy said. "She has proven herself as a top-notch assistant coach at Richmond. Her competitive spirit on the field and her support of student-athletes off the field fits perfectly with our ideals at Ball State."
Bernthal comes to Ball State after spending four seasons at the University of Richmond. She joined the Spiders staff in 2014 as an assistant coach under Gina McCorkle (formerly Lucido). McCorkle played field hockey at Ball State in the mid-1990s and is a member of the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame. Following the 2016 season, Bernthal was promoted to associate head coach.
Bernthal helped Richmond to 42 wins, two Atlantic 10 championship game appearances, one Atlantic 10 regular season championship, one Atlantic 10 Tournament championship and one NCAA Tournament appearance.
"Stephanie is primed for this leadership opportunity as she exemplified steadfast maturity, passion and wisdom as my right hand at Richmond." McCorkle said. "She possesses the unique ability to walk out toughness and grace equally well. As a Ball State alum, it's such a joy to know that Stephanie's integrity and character will impact the program culture immediately. I have no doubt she will return Ball State back to national prominence."
Prior to her stint with the Spiders, Bernthal served two seasons as the inaugural head coach at Bethany College in West Virginia. Bernthal coordinated all aspects of the launch of that program without an assistant coach while also running the United States Field Hockey Futures program in Pittsburgh. Bernthal has been active in USA Field Hockey throughout her coaching career. For the past three years, she has run the Level I Training Site at the University of Richmond for the South Region.
"I'm excited to join the Ball State field hockey family," Bernthal said. "Being from the Midwest, I am thrilled to return to the area and build upon the rich history and tradition of the Ball State program. I would also like to thank [Ball State Deputy Athletics Director] Pat Quinn and Mark Sandy for their professionalism throughout this process."
Bernthal's first stop as a collegiate coach was Christopher Newport University as an assistant in 2011. There she helped the Captains pick up 12 wins and earn an at-large berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament. She began her coaching career in 2009 at Stow-Monroe Falls High School in Stow, Ohio.
As a player, Bernthal was a four-year starter at Kent State University. She served as team captain as a senior in 2008 and helped the Golden Flashes to a top-20 national ranking, Mid-American Conference (MAC) regular season championship, MAC Tournament championship, and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
Bernthal, who played defense for Kent State, was named to the 2008 National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) All-West Region team and College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District squad. She twice came away with All-MAC accolades.
Bernthal graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Kent State in 2008. In 2011, she earned a master's of education in clinical mental health counseling from Kent State. She is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Ohio.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State field hockey team, please follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateFH.
TRANSACTIONS
Ball State University – Announced the hiring of Stephanie Bernthal as field hockey head coach.
"We are thrilled to have Stephanie join us as our field hockey head coach," Sandy said. "She has proven herself as a top-notch assistant coach at Richmond. Her competitive spirit on the field and her support of student-athletes off the field fits perfectly with our ideals at Ball State."
Bernthal comes to Ball State after spending four seasons at the University of Richmond. She joined the Spiders staff in 2014 as an assistant coach under Gina McCorkle (formerly Lucido). McCorkle played field hockey at Ball State in the mid-1990s and is a member of the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame. Following the 2016 season, Bernthal was promoted to associate head coach.
Bernthal helped Richmond to 42 wins, two Atlantic 10 championship game appearances, one Atlantic 10 regular season championship, one Atlantic 10 Tournament championship and one NCAA Tournament appearance.
"Stephanie is primed for this leadership opportunity as she exemplified steadfast maturity, passion and wisdom as my right hand at Richmond." McCorkle said. "She possesses the unique ability to walk out toughness and grace equally well. As a Ball State alum, it's such a joy to know that Stephanie's integrity and character will impact the program culture immediately. I have no doubt she will return Ball State back to national prominence."
Prior to her stint with the Spiders, Bernthal served two seasons as the inaugural head coach at Bethany College in West Virginia. Bernthal coordinated all aspects of the launch of that program without an assistant coach while also running the United States Field Hockey Futures program in Pittsburgh. Bernthal has been active in USA Field Hockey throughout her coaching career. For the past three years, she has run the Level I Training Site at the University of Richmond for the South Region.
"I'm excited to join the Ball State field hockey family," Bernthal said. "Being from the Midwest, I am thrilled to return to the area and build upon the rich history and tradition of the Ball State program. I would also like to thank [Ball State Deputy Athletics Director] Pat Quinn and Mark Sandy for their professionalism throughout this process."
Bernthal's first stop as a collegiate coach was Christopher Newport University as an assistant in 2011. There she helped the Captains pick up 12 wins and earn an at-large berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament. She began her coaching career in 2009 at Stow-Monroe Falls High School in Stow, Ohio.
As a player, Bernthal was a four-year starter at Kent State University. She served as team captain as a senior in 2008 and helped the Golden Flashes to a top-20 national ranking, Mid-American Conference (MAC) regular season championship, MAC Tournament championship, and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
Bernthal, who played defense for Kent State, was named to the 2008 National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) All-West Region team and College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District squad. She twice came away with All-MAC accolades.
Bernthal graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Kent State in 2008. In 2011, she earned a master's of education in clinical mental health counseling from Kent State. She is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Ohio.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State field hockey team, please follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateFH.
TRANSACTIONS
Ball State University – Announced the hiring of Stephanie Bernthal as field hockey head coach.
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