CMU To Rename Field In Former Coach's Honor

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Central Michigan Athletics will honor one of its luminaries next week when the Chippewas' Field Hockey Complex is officially christened Cristy Freese Field after the program's longtime coach.

The ceremony is scheduled for 3:40 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, prior to the Chippewas' Mid-American Conference game against Kent State.

"I am very humbled and honored that the field at CMU will bear my name," Freese said. "CMU and the field hockey program are very special to me. This is also special because the players, past and present, take pride in our program and what they contributed to the history and the future success of CMU field hockey. I truly appreciate everyone's efforts and financial commitment as we support Chippewa field hockey."

The naming ceremony serves as one portion of the program's Alumnae Weekend, which begins at 2:30 p.m. with a pregame tailgate and concludes with dinner at 7 p.m. Max & Emily's in downtown Mount Pleasant.

"I am excited to recognize Cristy for her outstanding contributions to the field hockey program and CMU Athletics over a fantastic 33-year career," Zyzlewski Family Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics Michael Alford said. "She was unwavering in her support of student-athletes, building a program that had success in every area. Cristy is a true Chippewa who gave her all to helping this department succeed."

Freese retired in June from CMU after 33-plus years as a coach and administrator. She coached the field hockey program for 29 years, becoming one of the longest-tenured coaches in university history, and then became the Executive Associate Athletic Director of Sport Administration and Senior Women's Administrator in January, 2015.

Freese led Central Michigan to four Mid-American Conference championships and more than 100 of her players earned All-MAC honors. She earned the MAC Coach of the Year Award four times.

Under Freese's tutelage, more than 100 Chippewas earned All-MAC honors, 25 were regional All-Americans, two received the MAC Player of the Year Award, and three Chippewas earned the league's Freshman of the Year Award.

Perhaps even more impressive was the Chippewas' sustained academic excellence during Freese's tenure. Nearly 150 of her players earned NFHCA National Academic Team honors, 36 earned Academic All-MAC accolades, and in 2012, Freese's Chippewas led the nation with a 3.61 combined grade point average.

Freese became a fixture in Chippewa athletics and on the national field-hockey coaching front, serving on the sport's All-America Committee, the NCAA Field Hockey Committee, and as the first vice president of the National Field Hockey Coaches Association, while coaching in the USA Field Hockey Futures Program.

In June, Freese received the MAC Diversity & Inclusion Administrator Award in recognition for her work with staff to continue to grow professionally and personally by mentoring them and sending them to professional development programs.

She played a vital role in the expansion of diversity and inclusion within Central Michigan athletics, serving on the university-wide diversity council and implementing a diversity council subcommittee within the athletics department.

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