New Varsity Field Hockey Coach Announced for 2024

Catherine MacKenzie has been named the head coach of the Varsity Field Hockey program at Westminster School. MacKenzie will take over for Kelcie Finn ’14. Athletic director Timothy Joncas ’00 expressed appreciation to Coach Finn for her leadership of the field hockey program over the last three years.

 

MacKenzie served as head coach of Varsity Field Hockey and as associate director of student life at New Hampton School, in New Hampton, New Hampshire. Having attended an independent school herself, Coach MacKenzie is eager to support the development of student-athletes in many areas of their Westminster experience. A graduate of Millbrook School in Millbrook, New York, Coach MacKenzie was a four-year varsity letter recipient and captain of their field hockey, ice hockey and lacrosse teams.

 

 “We are incredibly excited to have named Cate MacKenzie as our next head coach,” said Joncas. “Cate brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge in developing field hockey players. She has done a tremendous job over the past few years leading the New Hamptons team and we are so fortunate that she will bring her talents to Westminster.”

 

MacKenzie captained the Division III team her senior year at St. Lawrence University, where she received her B.A. in government and francophone studies.

 

At St. Lawrence, she was recognized in several athletic honorary societies, including the NFHCA Division III National Academic Team, Chi Alpha National College Athlete Honor Society and Liberty League All-Academic Honors. Her experience playing collegiate field hockey has greatly informed her own approach to coaching, as her teams strive to compete at a high-level while growing a love for both sport and community.

 

MacKenzie will be moving to Simsbury from the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, where she has led the New Hampton School field hockey program through four successful seasons as head coach. During that time, the team made consecutive NEPSAC Tournament appearances, and saw players off to both the Division I and III levels.

 

She is thrilled to be joining the Westminster community and is eager to share her passion in working with student-athletes who are competitive, dedicated and find common ground in how they each define success.

 

In addition to her role as head field hockey coach, MacKenzie will work in the deans’ office and language department. She will be moving to campus with her partner, Ben, and their two black labs, Fraleigh and Cali.