University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heel Grad Carrie Lingo Inducted Into USAFH Hall
November 20, 2016 | Field Hockey
NORFOLK, Va. – Carrie Lingo, a UNC field hockey standout who went on to a 12-year career with the U.S. National Team, was inducted Saturday evening into the USA Field Hockey Hall of Fame.
“Carrie Lingo is one of our all-time greats and I think the world of her,” said UNC coach Karen Shelton, who attended the ceremony in Norfolk. “In addition to being an outstanding field hockey talent with so many physical gifts, she's a cheerful, hard-working, optimistic person. She brings a positive vibe to any group. She's suffered through a lot of adversity with injury and just fought through it. I'm thrilled she's being honored in this way.”
As a player for the Tar Heels from 1999 to 2001, Lingo earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference, All-ACC Tournament and All-NCAA Tournament honors. She was a first-team All-America selection in 2001.
Lingo went on a long career as part of the U.S. National Team, representing the U.S. from 2001-12 in 190 international matches and becoming one of the most capped athletes in USA Field Hockey history. A U.S. team captain, Lingo played for the 2008 Olympic team and also represented the U.S. in the World Cup in 2002 and 2006. She was part of two silver medal teams (2007 and 2013) at the Pan American Games.
UNC annually awards the Lingo Award as the Players' Player of the Year to the student-athlete who represents Carolina with the most dedication, commitment and intensity and embodies what it means to wear a Tar Heel uniform, all qualities that fit Lingo when she was a UNC student-athlete.
Shelton, who is also a member of the USAFH Hall of Fame, had planned to attend Saturday's event whether or not her team reached the final four in Norfolk this weekend. The Tar Heels did get here and will play for the NCAA Championship Sunday afternoon against Delaware. On Saturday evening, Shelton met with her Tar Heel team before joining the Lingo family for the Hall of Fame induction. “The Lingos are a great family – the apple doesn't fall far from the tree,” Shelton said. “They've been amazing supporters of our program and Carrie is just a wonderful human being and so deserving of this. It wasn't a matter of if she'd be inducted, it was a matter of when. I'm proud to be here supporting Carrie tonight.”
For information on all of the 2016 inductees, click here.
