Villanova, Pa. – Villanova University is proud to announce a $1 million gift from an anonymous donor to endow the head coaching position for the Villanova Field Hockey program. This leadership gift will provide foundational support through funding to address strategic priorities, promoting the long-term success and well-being of the program.
"This extremely generous gift is the latest of its kind for Villanova Athletics," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Mark Jackson. "It is a testament to the commitment of alumni, parents and friends like these committed Villanovans, and we are incredibly grateful."
This is the fifth head coaching position, and the first among women's programs, to be endowed at the University, joining Football (Thomas and Diane Treacy Endowed Football Head Coach), Men's Basketball (William B. Finneran Endowed Men's Basketball Head Coach), Men's Cross Country and Track & Field (Frank J. Kelly Endowed Track & Field Coach) and Men's Lacrosse (DiLoreto Family Endowed Men's Lacrosse Head Coach).
"This gift will be transformational for Villanova Field Hockey," newly endowed head coach Joanie Milhous said. "It will provide important resources that will allow our program to compete among the nation's elite teams and create an unmatched experience for our current and future student-athletes."
The 2024 season will be Milhous' 30th at the helm of the program. During her tenure, she has twice been named the BIG EAST Coach of the Year and has coached five NFHCA All-Americans and 16 All-BIG EAST performers. Milhous has accrued over 250 wins at Villanova and has made 14 appearances in the BIG EAST Tournament during her tenure.
The program is in the midst of an impressive run, with two current student-athletes, Meghan Mitchell and Sabine de Ruijter, becoming the first two players in program history to receive BIG EAST accolades in four consecutive seasons. Last season, both were chosen as Mid-Atlantic All-Region honorees, and Mitchell was named an NFHCA Second Team All-American. Both student-athletes are returning for their final year of eligibility in 2024. The team has also boasted the highest team GPA of Villanova's 24 varsity programs in each of the last two semesters.
