The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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58 THE WOLVERINE ❱ MAY 2025 BY ANTHONY BROOME F ield hockey head coach Marcia Pan- kratz announced April 17 that she is retiring after 25 seasons at the helm. During the course of her career, Pan- kratz guided Michigan to the 2001 NCAA championship, 10 Big Ten regular-sea- son titles and eight conference tourna- ment crowns. Under her watch, U-M was the first women's program in school history to win an NCAA title. "I'm incredibly grateful to the Uni- versity of Michigan for taking a chance on me as a young coach so many years ago," Pankratz said in a statement. "It has been a tremendous honor and a joy of a lifetime. … "The Michigan field hockey program is strong and poised for excellence moving forward with an experienced Michigan coaching staff. Coming off another Big Ten championship and a dedicated fan base with tremendous support, the pro- gram will continue to be The Leaders and Best. "It has been an amazing journey filled with wonderful memories and mean- ingful relationships that I will always cherish. Being a part of the Michigan field hockey family has been a lifelong passion, and I am profoundly grateful to have shared this experience with so many student-athletes, parents and fel- low coaches over my career here. I look forward to cheering on our amazing team and forever, Go Blue!" Pankratz had two stints as head coach in Ann Arbor, first in 1996-2004 and then from 2009-25, posting a career re- cord of 371-162 (.696) and a 132-55 mark in Big Ten play. She is second in confer- ence history with six Big Ten Coach of the Year awards (1997, 2000, '02, '10, '11 and '17). Pankratz also earned National Field Hockey Coaches Association West Region Coach of the Year honors five times (1999, 2000, '03, '15 and '17). Michigan rosters had an All-American in 23 of her 25 seasons, including four in 2000, 2002 and 2021. Abby Tamer became the program's first-ever Olym- pic representative and led Team USA in scoring at the 2024 Paris Games. "Marcia is one of the most respected coaches in this country and a legend in the field hockey community," athletics director Warde Manuel said, "and I am thankful for her passion for and tire- less dedication to Michigan and our students. As former office neighbors in Weidenbach Hall, Marcia and I began our careers together as a young coach and administrator, and I have long appreci- ated her work ethic, perspective, humor and honesty. She has made an indelible mark over her time at Michigan, from her leadership in securing our university's first-ever women's national champion- ship to the impact she has had on her field hockey student-athletes from all parts of the world over the last 30 years. "We will miss seeing her on the side- lines, but I look forward to working with her in her new role as special advisor to the athletic director and know that she will continue to impact lives beyond the game of field hockey." Stepping into Pankratz's shoes is Kristi Gannon Fisher, who was a two-time All- American and Big Ten Conference Ath- lete of the Year (2000-03) at Michigan and has spent nine seasons on the coach- ing staff (2006-09, 2019-24). She be- comes the eighth head coach in program history. "Michigan field hockey has given me more than I could have ever imagined," said Gannon Fisher, "both as a student- athlete and as a coach. This program is my family, and I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to serve as its head coach. It's a lifelong dream come true. "I am honored to carry the torch for- ward after Marcia Pankratz's incredible 25 years of dedication. … I'm excited to experience this next chapter alongside and with the unwavering support of my husband, Jim, and our amazing kids Jake, Kaci and Karli, and to continue the great legacy of developing strong Michigan women and winning championships." Since Gannon Fisher returned to U-M in 2019, the program has captured a Big Ten regular-season title and three conference tournament titles with five NCAA Tournament invites, including a national runner-up finish in 2021. "I am thrilled that Kristi will take the reins of our field hockey program ... she bleeds blue through and through, and Michigan field hockey could not have a better coach to lead us into the future," said Manuel. ❏ ❱ OLYMPIC SPORTS UPDATE After A Quarter Century, A New Era For U-M Field Hockey Head coach Marcia Pankratz (center), who led U-M to an NCAA championship and a combined 18 Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles, retired after 25 years at the helm. Longtime assis- tant coach and former U-M All-American Kristi Gannon Fisher (to the immediate right of Pankratz) was named as her successor April 17. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETICS