BRISTOL, R.I. – After three seasons at the helm of the Roger Williams University Field Hockey team, Kelly Blackhurst is preparing to step down to take a position with the National Field Hockey Coaches Association, it was announced recently. In her short time in Bristol as the program's first full-time head coach, Blackhurst set the standard high, leading the Hawks to their most successful two seasons in program history.
 
"I would like to thank Coach Blackhurst and wish her well in her next adventure," said Athletic Director Kiki Jacobs. "Kelly has brought the Field Hockey program to a new level. Her dedication to the program and RWU has been evident since she stepped on campus. She will be sorely missed."
 
"I'd like to personally thank everyone associated with our program for an amazing three seasons in Bristol," Blackhurst said. "From our student-athletes, parents, alumnae, friends, administrators, fellow coaches, and fans, you've made the past three years a blast! Thank you, Kiki Jacobs, for giving me the opportunity to make a dream come true. Having been hired as the first full time head field hockey coach, there were no doubt challenges. With those challenges came great opportunities, even better memories, and a foundation that is strong moving into next season and the seasons to come. It has been an honor and privilege to coach such amazing women. These women continue to push the standard for RWU FH and are primed for greatness heading into their tenth season as a varsity sport at Roger Williams University."
 
Entering their ninth season as a varsity sport at RWU, the Field Hockey squad enjoyed their two winningest seasons across Blackhurst's three years, with the COVID year sandwiched in between. As a result, she owns the best winning percentage by a coach in program history at .525.
 
In her first year at Roger Williams, Blackhurst led the team to their first-ever winning season, setting the program record for single-season wins with 12. They also picked up their first-ever Commonwealth Coast Conference Tournament win, 3-1 over Western New England. Three Hawks were named to the All-CCC teams, while senior Alex Coppinger became the first NFHCA All-Region player in the history of the program. As a team, RWU recorded what were then program-best marks in scoring offense and defense that season, as the squad notched 2.59 goals per game while allowing just 1.95.
 
After a single-season hiatus due to the pandemic, Blackhurst raised the bar even higher in the fall. The team went 9-9, re-upping the program-best goals per game mark by netting 2.83 per contest, the third-most in the conference. Once again, the squad picked up a Commonwealth Coast Conference Tournament win, besting Gordon College, 5-0. Two Hawks earned All-CCC recognition at the season's conclusion including Amelia Monahan (Bristol, N.H.) who became RWU's second NFHCA All-Region player.
 
All the while, the Hawks excelled in the classroom under Blackhurst's tutelage. The team earned NFHCA National Academic Team honors in each of her three seasons with 59 individual players earning a spot on the NFHCA National Academic Squad.
 
Blackhurst will serve in the position of Awards & Administrative Coordinator with the National Field Hockey Coaches Association. A search for the fourth coach in RWU Field Hockey program history is underway.