Springfield, OH -- Wittenberg University head field hockey coach, Kelley Hubbell, will take a personal leave of absence during the 2019 season. Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation, Dr. Gary Williams, has named Hannah (Boyer) Lipton as the acting head coach of the program for the 2019 season.
During Coach Hubbell’s seven seasons at the helm of the field hockey program, the Tigers have accumulated an overall record of 86-84, while going 69-54 in North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) action. Hubbell led the Tigers to an NCAC regular season championship with a program-best 11-1 record in her first season on the sidelines at Wittenberg. That same season, Hubbell was named NCAC Coach of the Year. Since taking the reins of the Tiger field hockey program, Hubbell has guided 46 student-athletes to All-NCAC honors. Wittenberg posted a 7-11 record in 2018, going 7-7 in conference action, just a year after the Red & White made a run to the NCAC Tournament title game in 2017.
“First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with Kelley and her family during a very difficult time. Kelley is a tremendously valuable part of our athletic department and we wish her well during this necessary time away”, said Williams. “Thanks to Kelley, we are very fortunate to have found someone of Hannah’s experience to work with our program during her absence. Hannah comes to us with a tremendous playing and coaching background and more importantly, a strong commitment to lead and coach athletes that parallels the values and mission of both Kelley’s program and our department on and off the field. It was clear from my first conversation with Hannah that she possesses immense talent and we are excited that she has accepted our offer to join us for the 2019 season.”
Hannah (Boyer) Lipton will lead the Tigers in the 2019 season with a wealth of coaching experience and knowledge. Lipton was a Division I student-athlete at Indiana University, where she was a two-time team captain and two-time, All-Big Ten Conference selection (2012-2013). Lipton also garnered NFHCA All-West Region honors in 2013. She joined the coaching ranks after completing her successful career at Indiana, landing a spot on the Sacred Heart University staff as an assistant coach. She has also worked at an assortment of national field hockey camps and clinics along the way. Lipton currently works with the Field Hockey Life Club as both a head coach and associate director. With her background in both on-field, player-development and technical skills, Lipton also provides experiences in administrative oversight, working with both the Columbus and Cleveland training sites of the Field Hockey Life program.
The Tigers open the 2019 season with back-to-back road games, taking on Washington & Jefferson on Friday, August 30, before heading to NCAC foe Wooster on Saturday, August 31. Wittenberg then opens its home slate the following Saturday, September 7th, with an 11:00 a.m. contest against Sewanee University.