Photo by: Ayelet Prottas/Northwestern Athletics
Tracey Fuchs Signs Long-Term Contract Extension
4/8/2025 12:00:00 PM | Field Hockey
EVANSTON, Ill. (April 8, 2025) — Northwestern field hockey head coach Tracey Fuchs, who has led the Wildcats to two national championships, has agreed to a long-term contract extension, Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Mark Jackson announced on Tuesday.
"As one of the best players to ever play the sport, Tracey was referred to as 'The Michael Jordan of Field Hockey,' and rightly so," said Jackson. "As a head coach, Tracey Fuchs is simply 'The Tracey Fuchs of Head Coaches.' It's easy to point to the on-field success – the four consecutive championship games, and, most recently, her second national championship this past season – as justification for this long-term extension. But Tracey's leadership has such a deeper, more profound impact on our entire community. Her energy, enthusiasm, intelligence and her willingness to mentor and support others, including myself, separate her as just a phenomenal person. We could have no other way for Tracey to finish her career than as a Northwestern Wildcat and we are beyond excited to make this commitment."
Fuchs, a three-time Big Ten Coach of the Year, capped her 16th season at the helm this fall with the team's second NCAA Championship and a 23-1 regular season record. She led the Wildcats past Saint Joseph's in a 5-0 shutout in the title game. Fuchs has led the Wildcats to four consecutive NCAA Championship game appearances with a combined record of 82-13 across those four seasons.
"I am incredibly grateful to Northwestern Athletics, and especially to Athletic Director Mark Jackson, for the University's strong commitment to and support of our field hockey program and women's athletics as a whole," said Fuchs. "This contract extension is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our exceptional coaching and support staff, as well as the single-minded focus of the team as they pursued a fourth straight appearance in the championship game and, ultimately, won a second national championship in 2024. I am honored to work with the most talented student-athletes in D1 field hockey, and I couldn't be more proud to lead this team as we press forward to vie for more Championships."
Fuchs, the winningest head coach in Northwestern field hockey history, took the helm in 2009 and has since reestablished the program as a national powerhouse. Under her leadership, the Wildcats have secured their first two National Championships (2021 and 2024), along with three Big Ten titles, two Big Ten Tournament championships and eight NCAA Tournament appearances, including each of the last six seasons. Fuchs boasts a remarkable 240-102 record, having achieved a winning record in 15 of her 16 seasons in Evanston.
Fuchs' influence extends beyond her tenure at Northwestern. A legendary figure in field hockey, she has won NCAA championships as both a player and a coach. Her extensive involvement with the United States National Team spans nearly four decades, including a decorated 17-year playing career. As a coach, she served as an assistant coach for the squad that won its first Pan American Games gold medal. A three-time Olympian, Fuchs has represented Team USA as a player in Seoul (1998), as a team captain in Atlanta (1996), and assistant coach in Paris (2024). Further highlighting her stature in the sport, Fuchs was inducted into the USA Field Hockey Hall of Fame in 2014 and continues to contribute at the national level.
The 2024 season marked a pinnacle for Northwestern under Fuchs, coinciding with her role at the Olympics. The Wildcats captured their second National Championship, dominating the tournament with shutouts in the semifinal and Championship game. The team set a single-season win record (23) and secured the Big Ten regular season title for the second consecutive year. Fuchs' coaching prowess was further recognized as she guided Maddie Zimmer to NFHCA National Player of the Year honors, alongside multiple other players earning All-American accolades.
Prior to their latest championship, Fuchs consistently led Northwestern to elite levels of competition. In 2023, the Wildcats reached the NCAA Championship game for the third straight year, sweeping the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles. The team's dominant 21-win season included an undefeated road record, and Fuchs coached players to major Big Ten and national awards. Her coaching staff also earned NFHCA National Coaching Staff of the Year awards in 2021, 2023, and 2024, acknowledging their exceptional leadership.
Fuchs' impact has been transformative since her arrival at Northwestern. Her early years saw the program achieve milestones like its highest win total in over two decades and multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. She has coached numerous players to individual accolades and consistently positioned the Wildcats as a force in the Big Ten and on the national stage. Her legacy is further cemented by her remarkable playing career, including Olympic appearances and Hall of Fame honors, making her one of the most respected figures in the sport.
"As one of the best players to ever play the sport, Tracey was referred to as 'The Michael Jordan of Field Hockey,' and rightly so," said Jackson. "As a head coach, Tracey Fuchs is simply 'The Tracey Fuchs of Head Coaches.' It's easy to point to the on-field success – the four consecutive championship games, and, most recently, her second national championship this past season – as justification for this long-term extension. But Tracey's leadership has such a deeper, more profound impact on our entire community. Her energy, enthusiasm, intelligence and her willingness to mentor and support others, including myself, separate her as just a phenomenal person. We could have no other way for Tracey to finish her career than as a Northwestern Wildcat and we are beyond excited to make this commitment."
Fuchs, a three-time Big Ten Coach of the Year, capped her 16th season at the helm this fall with the team's second NCAA Championship and a 23-1 regular season record. She led the Wildcats past Saint Joseph's in a 5-0 shutout in the title game. Fuchs has led the Wildcats to four consecutive NCAA Championship game appearances with a combined record of 82-13 across those four seasons.
"I am incredibly grateful to Northwestern Athletics, and especially to Athletic Director Mark Jackson, for the University's strong commitment to and support of our field hockey program and women's athletics as a whole," said Fuchs. "This contract extension is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our exceptional coaching and support staff, as well as the single-minded focus of the team as they pursued a fourth straight appearance in the championship game and, ultimately, won a second national championship in 2024. I am honored to work with the most talented student-athletes in D1 field hockey, and I couldn't be more proud to lead this team as we press forward to vie for more Championships."
Fuchs, the winningest head coach in Northwestern field hockey history, took the helm in 2009 and has since reestablished the program as a national powerhouse. Under her leadership, the Wildcats have secured their first two National Championships (2021 and 2024), along with three Big Ten titles, two Big Ten Tournament championships and eight NCAA Tournament appearances, including each of the last six seasons. Fuchs boasts a remarkable 240-102 record, having achieved a winning record in 15 of her 16 seasons in Evanston.
Fuchs' influence extends beyond her tenure at Northwestern. A legendary figure in field hockey, she has won NCAA championships as both a player and a coach. Her extensive involvement with the United States National Team spans nearly four decades, including a decorated 17-year playing career. As a coach, she served as an assistant coach for the squad that won its first Pan American Games gold medal. A three-time Olympian, Fuchs has represented Team USA as a player in Seoul (1998), as a team captain in Atlanta (1996), and assistant coach in Paris (2024). Further highlighting her stature in the sport, Fuchs was inducted into the USA Field Hockey Hall of Fame in 2014 and continues to contribute at the national level.
The 2024 season marked a pinnacle for Northwestern under Fuchs, coinciding with her role at the Olympics. The Wildcats captured their second National Championship, dominating the tournament with shutouts in the semifinal and Championship game. The team set a single-season win record (23) and secured the Big Ten regular season title for the second consecutive year. Fuchs' coaching prowess was further recognized as she guided Maddie Zimmer to NFHCA National Player of the Year honors, alongside multiple other players earning All-American accolades.
Prior to their latest championship, Fuchs consistently led Northwestern to elite levels of competition. In 2023, the Wildcats reached the NCAA Championship game for the third straight year, sweeping the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles. The team's dominant 21-win season included an undefeated road record, and Fuchs coached players to major Big Ten and national awards. Her coaching staff also earned NFHCA National Coaching Staff of the Year awards in 2021, 2023, and 2024, acknowledging their exceptional leadership.
Fuchs' impact has been transformative since her arrival at Northwestern. Her early years saw the program achieve milestones like its highest win total in over two decades and multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. She has coached numerous players to individual accolades and consistently positioned the Wildcats as a force in the Big Ten and on the national stage. Her legacy is further cemented by her remarkable playing career, including Olympic appearances and Hall of Fame honors, making her one of the most respected figures in the sport.
Players Mentioned
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