'50+ Years in the Making' Field Hockey Documentary to Premiere April 30
4/25/2025 10:52:00 AM | Field Hockey
EVANSTON, Ill. — '50+ Years in the Making' | The Foundation: Northwestern Field Hockey, a new 23-minute documentary celebrating the evolution and rise of Northwestern Field Hockey, will premiere on YouTube on Wednesday, April 30. Produced by Northwestern's Emmy Award-winning Studio N, the film traces the evolution of the program over five decades—highlighting the trailblazers who laid the groundwork and the current era under head coach Tracey Fuchs that has elevated the Wildcats to a national powerhouse.
'50+ Years in the Making' explores the foundation laid by Hall of Fame head coach Nancy Stevens in the 1980s—an era that included four Big Ten championships and three NCAA Final Four appearances—and the program's modern-day ascent under Tracey Fuchs. Fuchs has guided the Wildcats to four-straight national title game appearances, capturing NCAA Championships in 2021 and 2024.
The 2024 season, the 50th season of Northwestern Field Hockey, marked the most successful in program history. Northwestern posted a 23-1 record, setting a new school record for wins in a single season, and captured its second-consecutive Big Ten Conference regular season title. The 'Cats capped the season with back-to-back shutouts in the Final Four and National Championship game, led by NFHCA National Player of the Year and Honda Award finalist Maddie Zimmer, and first-team All-Americans Ashley Sessa, Annabel Skubisz, and Lauren Wadas.
Fuchs and her coaching staff were named NFHCA National Coaching Staff of the Year for the second consecutive season, and the third time in four years. A legendary figure in the sport, Fuchs has captured NCAA titles as both a player and coach, while also representing the United States National Team for nearly two decades.
"So many incredible people have helped build this program over the 50 years that Northwestern Field Hockey has been recognized as a varsity sport, as well as those who played field hockey at Northwestern prior to that recognition —from players to coaches to support staff—and this documentary is a celebration of all of them," said head coach Tracey Fuchs. "I'm proud of how this story came together, and so excited for fans to see what makes Northwestern Field Hockey such a special family."
The documentary features interviews with over a dozen voices across five decades of Wildcat Field Hockey, offering authentic insights on the people and moments that shaped the program. '50+ Years in the Making' will be available for free viewing on NUSports.com and the Northwestern Athletics YouTube Channel.
'50+ Years in the Making' explores the foundation laid by Hall of Fame head coach Nancy Stevens in the 1980s—an era that included four Big Ten championships and three NCAA Final Four appearances—and the program's modern-day ascent under Tracey Fuchs. Fuchs has guided the Wildcats to four-straight national title game appearances, capturing NCAA Championships in 2021 and 2024.
The 2024 season, the 50th season of Northwestern Field Hockey, marked the most successful in program history. Northwestern posted a 23-1 record, setting a new school record for wins in a single season, and captured its second-consecutive Big Ten Conference regular season title. The 'Cats capped the season with back-to-back shutouts in the Final Four and National Championship game, led by NFHCA National Player of the Year and Honda Award finalist Maddie Zimmer, and first-team All-Americans Ashley Sessa, Annabel Skubisz, and Lauren Wadas.
Fuchs and her coaching staff were named NFHCA National Coaching Staff of the Year for the second consecutive season, and the third time in four years. A legendary figure in the sport, Fuchs has captured NCAA titles as both a player and coach, while also representing the United States National Team for nearly two decades.
"So many incredible people have helped build this program over the 50 years that Northwestern Field Hockey has been recognized as a varsity sport, as well as those who played field hockey at Northwestern prior to that recognition —from players to coaches to support staff—and this documentary is a celebration of all of them," said head coach Tracey Fuchs. "I'm proud of how this story came together, and so excited for fans to see what makes Northwestern Field Hockey such a special family."
The documentary features interviews with over a dozen voices across five decades of Wildcat Field Hockey, offering authentic insights on the people and moments that shaped the program. '50+ Years in the Making' will be available for free viewing on NUSports.com and the Northwestern Athletics YouTube Channel.
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"50+ Years in the Making" | The Foundation: Northwestern Field Hockey
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