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FACT SHEET

The US Field Hockey Association is recognized by the United States Olympic Committee, the International Hockey Federation and the Pan American Hockey Federation as the National Governing Body for the sport of field in the United States. As such it is responsible for the selection and training of athletes to compete in the Olympic and Pan American Games, the World Cup and other international competitive events.

The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors composed of 26 men and women representing the broad spectrum of constituencies interested in the sport including athletes, umpires, coaches, and administrators. Board elections are conducted on a staggered schedule with most terms of office being four years in duration.

The USFHA was founded in Philadelphia in 1922, twenty one years after the sport of field hockey was brought to US shores by Constance M. Applebee. Nearly 100 women from 15 states attended the historic meeting. The organization’s first president was Ms. Edward G. Krumbhaar.

From 1932 to 1993, the Field Hockey Association of America (FHAA) served as the governing body for the men’s game of field hockey in the United States. In 1993, the USFHA was recognized by the United States Olympic Committee as the sole governing body for the sport of field hockey in the United States. At that time the USFHA and the FHAA became one association, dedicated to the development and promotion of the sport in the United States.

The USFHA is a non-profit organization as recognized by the US Internal Revenue Service, as such contributions to the organizations may be deemed tax deductible.

Day to day operations of the organization are directed by a staff of 16, led by the U.S. Field Hockey Executive Director.

Currently, the organization supports a total of 8 elite teams: Women’s - National, Senior Reserve, Under 20 and Under 16; Men’s - National, Under 20, and Under 16. The organization conducts an annual selection process to determine the most talented athletes for international level training and competition. More than 120 athletes participate on the eight teams.

Based on the most recent IRS 990, the USFHA reported revenue in excess of $3 million in 1997. Of this amount, 26% is received from direct and indirect public support, 55% from program services, 8% from membership and dues, and approximately 11% from interest and other miscellaneous sources. More than 81% of expenses are directed toward program services, with only 18% spent on management and general and fundraising. The organization is audited on an annual basis.

Field Hockey has been a medal sport in the Olympic Games for men since 1908, and 1980 for women.

US Women Olympic results: 1980 - did not participate. Moscow boycott; 1984 - bronze; 1988 - eighth; 1992 -did not qualify; 1996 - fifth.

US Women World Cup Results - 1974 - did not participate; 1976 did not participate; 1978 - did not participate; 1981 - did not participate; 1983 - sixth; 1986 - ninth; 1990 - twelfth; 1994 - third (bronze); 1998 - eighth.

The US Men participated in the Olympic Games in 1996, 1984, 1956, 1948, 1936 and 1932. In 1932 the US men took the bronze – only three teams participated.

In the most recent Pan American Games (1999) the US Women took the silver, the US placed fifth. The men earned a bronze in 1995 while the women earned a silver medal, and in 1991, both the women and men took the bronze medal. In both 1995 and 1991 the gold medals were taken by the Argentinean women and men.  In 1999 Argentina again won the women's gold medal while Canada earned top honors for the men.

Through the Futures Talent Identification and Development program, the USFHA provides a 6 month program of tactical training and skill development to more than 3400 high school age girls. The top athletes from the program move on to become a part of the USFHA elite team selection process.

The USFHA conducts two major annual constituent events – the National Hockey Festival in which more than 4000 athletes, coaches and officials participate over the Thanksgiving weekend, and the National Indoor Tournament, in which more than 1500 athletes, officials and coaches participate over two weekend in the spring of each year.

Membership in the USFHA has now surpassed 15,000 and has grown more than 10% in the past year alone.