John Carroll University is proud to announce the appointment of Gina Stephan as the first-ever head coach of women’s field hockey. Stephan will lead the new varsity team, which will begin competing in Fall 2026, following the launch of a club program in Fall 2025. Women’s field hockey will become JCU’s 25th varsity sport and its latest step forward in expanding opportunities for student-athletes.
Coach Stephan brings a strong background in both coaching and sport psychology to John Carroll. She most recently coached women’s field hockey at Bridgewater College in Virginia and holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Psychology from the University of Brockport, a master’s degree in Sports Administration from Canisius University, and a certificate in Sport Performance Psychology from the University of Western States.
“I had known JCU as a prestigious school—I’m from Buffalo and many people from my area come here,” said Stephan. “But what really drew me in was the University’s academic excellence and its legacy of athletic success. John Carroll is a place where values, character, and academics come first, and that aligns perfectly with my philosophy as a coach.”
Brian Polian, Vice President for Athletics and National Engagement at JCU, expressed his excitement about Stephan joining the Blue Streaks. “We’re thrilled to welcome Gina to John Carroll. Her impressive background and genuine passion for developing student-athletes both on and off the field make her the ideal person to build and lead our first-ever women’s field hockey program. She embodies the values and dedication to excellence we seek at JCU.”
Field hockey, which has been played at the collegiate level since the early 1900s, remains an emerging sport. Currently, just 162 NCAA Division III colleges offer women’s field hockey. With the launch of its program, John Carroll will become the 163rd.
Stephan views this new opportunity as a chance to build something lasting and impactful. “We get to create the identity and history of field hockey at JCU. This is my first time starting a program from the ground up, and I’m thrilled to take on that challenge,” she said.
Her coaching philosophy centers on building relationships, developing players holistically, and fostering a strong team culture. “I value relationships, education, and authenticity,” Stephan explained. “My goal is to help student-athletes grow into their full potential—not just as players, but as people.”
Stephan describes her approach as family-oriented and deeply mentorship-driven, shaped by her own journey from player to coach. “I fell in love with the development of the person and the player. That’s what led me into coaching. Being a collegiate coach allows me to support students in ways that extend beyond the field.”
To prospective recruits, Stephan offers a message of inclusion and opportunity: “Whether you’re coming in with the class of 2025, 2026, 2027 or beyond, you’re here from the start. You’ll be part of building this program—its culture, its success, its story.”
John Carroll University looks forward to welcoming student-athletes from across the country to be part of this exciting new chapter.