University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Gather For Kickoff Dinner
August 12, 2016 | Field Hockey
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The UNC field hockey program kicked off its 2016 season and cheered on the USA Thursday night at the annual Welcome Back Dinner. Student-athletes, staff and families gathered at the Kenan Stadium North Box for food, fun and an additional treat: a viewing of the U.S.-India Olympic women's field hockey game, which included five Carolina alums, each of whom attended these same dinners.
“This is always a special night for our program,” said UNC coach Karen Shelton, who is heading into her 36th season as the Tar Heels' coach. “There's lots of anticipation and excitement in the room and great fellowship with all the families coming back and seeing each other. I'm excited for this team.”
The event is held each summer on the eve of the first practice and welcomes newcomers to the team, in addition to gathering the veterans. This year's dinner was a bit different by virtue of the Olympic game on multiple TVs and many in the crowd sporting red, white and blue, but the fact that both events started at the same time was a fluke.
“We scheduled this dinner more than a month ago and didn't know the Olympic schedule at the time, but it's a fun convergence – we've got all the TVs going and we have a USA theme,” Shelton said. “The Tar Heels here are proud of the Tar Heels who are in Rio. And our Under-21 (national team) players can watch knowing they're next in line to vie for a spot to represent their country and play in the Olympic games. It's thrilling.”
This year's team includes 24 returning players: six seniors, three juniors, 11 sophomores and four redshirt freshmen. Joining them are seven newcomers: six freshmen and a transfer student. The freshmen are Eef Andriessen (Tilburg, Netherlands), Georgia Cassidy (Darien, Conn.), Megan DuVernois (Collegeville, Pa.), Amanda Hendry (Wilton, Conn.), Kathryn Holland (Charlotte, N.C.) and Courtnie Williamson (Radnor, Pa.). They are joined by Alex Halpin, a sophomore transfer from UMass.
The team also has a new assistant coach, Mark Atherton, who joined the staff in July.
The Tar Heels take the field for the first time on Friday. The season opens on Aug. 27 in Winston-Salem, N.C., when Carolina plays Michigan in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. But the team already had something to celebrate Thursday: The U.S. beat India 3-0 to remain undefeated in pool play.
