University of Massachusets Athletics
Former UMass Coach Pam Hixon Named to USA Field Hockey Hall of Fame
April 22, 2026 | Field Hockey
AMHERST, Mass. – An all-time great coach both at UMass and in the sport of field hockey, Pam Hixon has been named to the USA Field Hockey Hall of Fame. The 2026 inductee class will be celebrated on Saturday, May 16, in conjunction with the Atlanta Cup. At that time, the organization will be honoring the 30th anniversary of the Atlanta 1996 Olympic teams.
Also a member of UMass' Hall of Fame, Hixon directed the Massachusetts field hockey program for 17 seasons (1978-93 and 1996) and led her team to postseason play every year. She took the Minutewomen to 14 NCAA Tournaments, one AIAW Tournament and a pair of EAIAW Tournaments. Hixon's teams made four NCAA Final Four appearances, finishing second in 1981, and never had a losing season.
The winningest coach in New England collegiate field hockey history at the time of her retirement, she owns an all-time record of 272-76-18 (.768) and led UMass to four Atlantic 10 Conference titles. Selected as the National Field Hockey Coach of the Year in 1981, Hixon earned six Atlantic 10 coach of the year citations. During her storied career, she coached a national player of the year, a Broderick Award winner, five Broderick Award nominees, 29 All-Americans, 17 first team All-Atlantic 10 Conference selections, four Academic All-Americans and five Olympians.
Hixon was the head coach of the U.S. National Team and the 1996 Olympic Team coach. She led the U.S. to a top three world ranking and is recognized as the most successful national coach in U.S. field hockey history.
In addition to coaching the UMass field hockey team, she served as head coach of the women's lacrosse program for nine seasons, posting a 91-30-2 (.748) record. She led the school to its first women's NCAA national championship in school history in 1982.
Since its establishment in 1988, the USA Field Hockey Hall of Fame has recognized individuals who have achieved success internationally and made significant contributions to the organization. In 2024, two new categories, Coaches and Officials, were added to the Hall of Fame. The Honorary Member category was retired and replaced with Contributor. Those who were elected to the Hall of Fame as Honorary Members will retain the title, but those inducted into the 2024 class and beyond will be Contributors. These additional categories and changes allow USA Field Hockey to recognize all members who have made significant contributions to the sport and USA Field Hockey. The USA Field Hockey Hall of Fame will now include Athletes, Coaches, Officials and Contributors.
Also a member of UMass' Hall of Fame, Hixon directed the Massachusetts field hockey program for 17 seasons (1978-93 and 1996) and led her team to postseason play every year. She took the Minutewomen to 14 NCAA Tournaments, one AIAW Tournament and a pair of EAIAW Tournaments. Hixon's teams made four NCAA Final Four appearances, finishing second in 1981, and never had a losing season.
The winningest coach in New England collegiate field hockey history at the time of her retirement, she owns an all-time record of 272-76-18 (.768) and led UMass to four Atlantic 10 Conference titles. Selected as the National Field Hockey Coach of the Year in 1981, Hixon earned six Atlantic 10 coach of the year citations. During her storied career, she coached a national player of the year, a Broderick Award winner, five Broderick Award nominees, 29 All-Americans, 17 first team All-Atlantic 10 Conference selections, four Academic All-Americans and five Olympians.
Hixon was the head coach of the U.S. National Team and the 1996 Olympic Team coach. She led the U.S. to a top three world ranking and is recognized as the most successful national coach in U.S. field hockey history.
In addition to coaching the UMass field hockey team, she served as head coach of the women's lacrosse program for nine seasons, posting a 91-30-2 (.748) record. She led the school to its first women's NCAA national championship in school history in 1982.
Since its establishment in 1988, the USA Field Hockey Hall of Fame has recognized individuals who have achieved success internationally and made significant contributions to the organization. In 2024, two new categories, Coaches and Officials, were added to the Hall of Fame. The Honorary Member category was retired and replaced with Contributor. Those who were elected to the Hall of Fame as Honorary Members will retain the title, but those inducted into the 2024 class and beyond will be Contributors. These additional categories and changes allow USA Field Hockey to recognize all members who have made significant contributions to the sport and USA Field Hockey. The USA Field Hockey Hall of Fame will now include Athletes, Coaches, Officials and Contributors.
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