The Growth of Field Hockey in the “Hinterlands” of Texas & Oklahoma
Content Provided
Over the past several decades, Texas and Oklahoma have transformed into two of the fastest-growing field hockey regions in the United States. Once considered non-traditional markets for the sport, the two states now regularly produce nationally ranked high school and club programs, NCAA student-athletes, and members of the U.S. Women's National Team.
This growth did not happen by chance. It has been driven by a combination of visionary coaches, strong school support, year-round club opportunities, USA Field Hockey development programming, dedicated families, and access to high-quality facilities.
The foundation was established in the 1980s when field hockey became a girls' sport within the Southwest Preparatory Conference (SPC). Momentum accelerated in 1989 with the arrival of USA Field Hockey's Futures Program (now known as Nexus) which provided athletes with elite development opportunities and exposure to college coaches. By 1997, Team Texoma became the first team from Texas and Oklahoma to compete at the National Hockey Festival, with players ultimately continuing their careers at some of the nation's top collegiate programs, including Brown University, Duke University, Ohio State University, University of Michigan, University of North Carolina, University of Virginia, and Stanford University.
Among the individuals who had the greatest impact on the sport's growth was Greg Gephart, despite never having played field hockey himself. A teacher, coach, mentor, and passionate advocate for the game, Gephart dedicated much time to growing opportunities for young athletes. His work included coaching at Holland Hall in Tulsa, Okla., The Kinkaid School in Houston, Texas, and Durham Academy in Durham, N.C.; serving as an assistant coach at Duke University (1992-1994); supporting USA Field Hockey development programs; and later leading Longstreth Sporting Goods' field hockey division.
Gephart also became a tireless supporter of the U.S. Men's National Team, especially in the lead up to the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, often providing equipment and resources while promoting the sport across the country. After returning to Houston in 1996, he founded the Houston Hockey Club and continued mentoring athletes through camps and Futures until his passing on December 14, 1999.
To honor his legacy, family and friends established the Greg Gephart Fund for Youth Field Hockey (GGF) in 2000. Since then, the organization has played a vital role in expanding opportunities for athletes, coaches, and officials. Its signature Greg Gephart Field Hockey Clinic, started in 2001, has introduced generations of players to nationally recognized coaches, while grants to USA Field Hockey have supported visiting coaches at the Houston Nexus site since 2013. The Fund has also provided scholarships, donated equipment both domestically and internationally, and continued investing in youth development throughout the region.
The growth of field hockey in Texas and Oklahoma has also been fueled by the arrival of accomplished collegiate players who transitioned into coaching. Leaders with experience from powerhouse NCAA Division I programs have elevated the level of instruction at schools and clubs throughout the region, helping athletes compete successfully on the national stage. Jackie Ciconte and Tina Edmonds, University of Maryland teammates on the 2005 and 2006 NCAA National Championship Teams, moved to Houston. Ciconte became the head coach at The Kinkaid School, while Edmonds owns, operates and coaches Texas Pride Field Hockey Club. Emily White, who played at the University at Albany, became the head coach at Episcopal High School and later moved to St. John’s School. Christy Utter, who played on two National Championship teams at the University of North Carolina, is the head at Holland Hall. Shelly Edmonds Canella played at the University of Virginia and was the head coach at Houston Episcopal High School. Claire Pearce, who played on three National Championship Teams at Wake Forest University, is the head coach at Trinity Valley School in Fort Worth. Dana Weaver, a member of James Madison University’s National Championship team, is at All Saints Episcopal School in Fort Worth. Merich Frizzell Fricks, who played at Liberty University, is the head coach at Casady School in Oklahoma City.
One of the most influential developments came with the establishment of Texas Pride Field Hockey Club. Founded in 2012 and acquired by Edmonds in 2013, the club has grown from just 20 athletes into one of the country's premier youth club. Its nationally ranked teams and year-round training environment have provided players throughout Texas with consistent access to elite coaching and competition, while inspiring additional clubs across Texas and Oklahoma.
The continued investment in coaching and facilities has translated into remarkable success at the high school level. The Kinkaid School broke into the national spotlight in 2020 with a top-10 national ranking and has remained among Max Field Hockey's Top 25 programs in the years since. St. John's School joined the rankings in 2022, giving Houston two nationally recognized programs that have each climbed as high as No. 2 in the country. Schools throughout Texas and Oklahoma have also invested in turf fields, providing athletes with year-round access to the same playing surface used at the highest levels of the sport.
Today, five established youth clubs, Albion Field Hockey Club, Cowtown Field Hockey Club, Lonestar FHC, Oklahoma Field Hockey Club, and Texas Pride, continue to expand opportunities for athletes across the region.
The impact is evident in the number of student-athletes advancing to collegiate field hockey. Through the combined efforts of the GGF, USA Field Hockey, strong scholastic programs, and competitive club environments, athletes from Texas and Oklahoma have gone on to compete at 59 of the nation's NCAA Division I, II, and III institutions, including Duke University, Harvard University, Northwestern University, Princeton University, University of Michigan, University of North Carolina, University of Virginia, Johns Hopkins University, Middlebury College, Tufts University, Williams College, and many more.
The region has also become an important pipeline for Team USA. Texas has produced three current members of the U.S. Women's National Team in Mia Abello, Kelsey Bing, and Annabel Skubisz, along with nine current Junior USWNT athletes in Valentina Baizan, Juliana Boon, Julia Clayton, Aby Deverka, Jayden Houston, Nina Piazza, Caroline Raynes, Catherine Rosser, and Harper Strachan.
The success of field hockey in Texas and Oklahoma reflects decades of collaboration among schools, clubs, coaches, parents, volunteers, and USA Field Hockey. What began as a small regional sport has grown into a nationally respected talent pipeline, proving that with dedicated leadership, quality coaching, and meaningful opportunities, excellence can flourish well beyond the sport's traditional strongholds.
As participation continues to grow and more athletes pursue opportunities at the collegiate and international levels, Texas and Oklahoma are well positioned to shape the future of field hockey in the United States for years to come.
