MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – Penn State Harrisburg field hockey head coach Amanda Janney Misselhorn received the 2024 USA Field Hockey Humanitarian Award presented by AAE.
According to AAE, the organization's Humanitarian Award is presented annually to an individual who has transcended the game of field hockey and achieved something inspirational. The recipient has used field hockey to better themselves, the community and beyond.
Inclusivity has been at the forefront of Misselhorn's mission since becoming the program's first head coach in 2023. Under her tutelage, Maggie Kutz, a student in the Penn State Harrisburg’s Career Studies program, became the first known student-athlete with Down Syndrome to play NCAA field hockey.
"I'm humbled by this award from USA Field Hockey and I'm so grateful that my husband, Walt, and I can live in central Pennsylvania and be a part of the field hockey community at all levels," said Misselhorn. "Having Maggie on our team has been amazing and she is a great reminder for all of us that hockey is about so much more than wins and losses, and more about teamwork, dedication to something greater than yourself and connecting with others from whom we can learn."
The field hockey program hosted Career Studies Day prior to a home game and honored Kutz and her peers from the Career Studies program during a special pregame ceremony.
"Coach Misselhorn has been a tremendous representative of our athletics program and she is certainly deserving of this honor," said Rahsaan Carlton, Penn State Harrisburg director of athletics. "She has set an impressive standard for our field hockey program and student-athletes, and she remains a massive advocate for the growth of the sport."
Misselhorn led Penn State Harrisburg into NCAA competition during the program's inaugural season in 2024. Under her leadership, the team won nine games and made a run to the semifinal round of the United East Championship Tournament. Under Misselhorn’s guidance, six players earned United East All-Conference honors.
"It's been an honor to start a program from the ground up and build a team culture around grit, resilience, integrity and teamwork," said Misselhorn. "We worked hard last year to recruit multi-talented players like Maggie, three transfers and our other talented student-athletes from central Pennsylvania. I'm grateful for the outstanding support staff and administration at Penn State Harrisburg, generous donors, supportive parents, helpful high school coaches and other enthusiastic college coaches who supported our program's first season."