After three seasons as the head coach of Wittenberg University field hockey, Bronwen Gainsford has announced her resignation to pursue professional opportunities in her home state of North Carolina.
Gainsford posted records of .500 or better in all three of her seasons with the Tigers. Most recently, Wittenberg finished the 2023 campaign with an overall record of 10-7. Against North Coast Athletic Conference competition, Gainsford guided the Tigers to a record of 13-13.
“It has been a tough decision to transition out of coaching,” Gainsford said. “I have enjoyed my time at Wittenberg and all the student-athletes, alumni, and parents I have been lucky to meet and work with along the way.
“Thank you to President Frandsen and Brian Agler for their dedication to the program and its development. I know the program will have continued success in upcoming years. I will miss all the relationships I have developed but look forward to seeing the continued growth of the program. Tiger Up!”
Named the 10th head coach in program history in March 2020, Gainsford arrived at Wittenberg after five years as the head coach at Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, North Carolina. As the inaugural head coach in program history, Gainsford spent a year recruiting to prepare for the first intercollegiate season in 2016, and she went on to post a four-year record of 23-45 at Belmont Abbey.
Prior to her first head coaching opportunity, Gainsford worked for USA Field Hockey as the Region 8 Development and Fundamental Field Hockey Manager. Her coaching experience included a season as an affiliate coach at James Madison University and two seasons as a graduate assistant at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts.
As a player, Gainsford was a goalkeeper at Wake Forest in 2010 and 2011 after playing two seasons at Catawba College, including one as a field player and one as a goalkeeper. In 2009, she led all NCAA Division II goalies in saves per game while serving as a team captain. After the season, she was named the team’s Most Valuable Player.
Gainsford earned her B.A. in communication from Wake Forest in 2012 and her M.S. in exercise and sports studies from Smith College in 2014.
A nationwide search for Wittenberg’s next field hockey coach will begin immediately.