Field hockey players continue to build team culture

As the final whistle blew and the Hoosiers celebrated IU Coach Amy Robertson’s 100th win, it was clear just how far the team had come. This was Sept. 3, right after IU beat Ball State 4-0. In the most recent weeks, Robertson added two more wins to her résumé, but more importantly, she was part of every win ever for the IU field hockey team.

It was 12 years ago when Robertson first came in, turning the club team into a Big Ten varsity sport. Since then the team has won 102 times, all with Robertson as head coach.

“To me, this program is like a baby. I can’t imagine being any other place,” Robertson said. “I think Indiana, the community, the institution, the athletics department — we have the best of everything.”

With club players and a few student athletes joining the team, the next step was to get IU on the map.

“At the time when we were recruiting, nobody really knew that Indiana had a field hockey program,” Robertson said. “There’s a lot of education taking place and trying to make a name for ourselves.”

Now, the program is totally different. Having just been knocked out of a top 20 ranking, the Hoosiers are fighting back, determined to make the NCAA tournament. There’s more pressure than there use to be, Robertson said. There’s a hunger, she said, to try to build some pride and establish the respect that the girls were fighting for.

Senior forward Katie Griswold has seen the program develop since she began at IU.

“There’s been a lot of change, actually, since my freshman year,” Griswold said. “The biggest thing is that we have a really strong culture on our team now, where we have a really good definition of who we are, and that’s definitely taken years to evolve.”

Griswold, like the rest of the team, said she looks up to Robertson, knowing her motivations are in the best interest of the team.

“The biggest thing that sets coach apart is that she really cares about each of us, not only as players but as people,” Griswold said.

To contend, the Hoosiers will have to continue to recruit well. IU has a top-notch class this season, getting immediate impact from a number of freshman including forwards Audra Heilman and Nicole Volgraf. Volgraf, said she made the right choice in picking IU.

“It was mainly the team and the coaches that made my decision,” Volgraf said. “After visiting a couple schools, I really clicked with the team, and everybody was very welcoming. I love the way that both Kelly (Doton) and Amy (Robertson) care about all their players.”

Looking to the future, the Big Ten will stay competitive as will the Hoosiers.

“Obviously, the way we’d like it to go is not just to compete for the Big Ten title but to get to NCAA second round, Final Four. And I think we have that potential,” Robertson said, “This year is not just a great year for what we can do, but it’s really good for the whole team to learn from the culture that has been established.”