University of North Carolina Athletics
Hoffman was joined on the court by Coach Karen Shelton, A.D. Bubba Cunningham and Interim chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz.
Photo by: UNC Athletic Communications
Hoffman Caps Stellar Career With Special Honor
February 14, 2019 | Field Hockey
CHAPEL HIL, N.C. – On Feb. 9 Ashley Hoffman earned yet another honor in a phenomenal North Carolina field hockey career when her UNC jersey was retired. She is the fifth Tar Heel player to receive the honor, which is afforded to those who have been named national player of the year.
The ceremony took place during the second half of the UNC-Miami men's basketball game on Feb. 9. Hoffman, who received a standing ovation from the Smith Center crowd, was joined on the court by coach Karen Shelton, Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham and Interim Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz.
"I feel so honored, almost like it isn't real," said Hoffman, the 2018 recipient of the Honda Sport Award for field hockey. "This whole college experience has been a whirlwind – it went by in the blink of an eye."
Prior to Saturday, the last time she was in the Smith Center was for UNC Commencement in December. A two-time All-ACC Academic honoree, Hoffman graduated with a degree in sociology and is now training full-time with the U.S. National Team. She was in Chapel Hill over the weekend for UNC's team banquet, in between trips to South America and New Zealand with the National Team.
Hoffman started every game in her four years at UNC wearing jersey No. 13, a number that is now the most iconic in UNC program history. It has the rare distinction of having been retired twice: first for Cindy Werley and now for Hoffman.
Werley was the Honda Award winner in 1996 and 1997, and she remains the program's all-time leader in goals and points. Following her senior season, jersey No. 13 was retired in her honor, and no one had worn it at UNC since.
Hoffman grew up wearing No. 13 and by the time she was being recruited, schools were using the number's availability as part of their pitches. After talking with Werley and receiving her blessing, UNC coach Karen Shelton told Hoffman that No. 13 was hers for four years.
"I would never have asked," Hoffman said. "But the fact that it was offered showed me how much Coach Shelton valued me as a player. I am extremely appreciative to Cindy Werley for saying yes."
It's the second time a top player has come to UNC and brought a number out of retirement. Jersey No. 9 was retired for Rachel Dawson following the 2007 season, but Dawson gave her permission for Emily Wold, a three-time All-America at UNC, to wear it from 2012-15.
"Cindy was extremely gracious about bringing her number out of retirement," Shelton said. "She was an amazing player here and will always been recognized as one of the top performers in our program. Jersey No. 13 already occupied a special place in UNC history, and now that's even more so the case."
The ceremony took place during the second half of the UNC-Miami men's basketball game on Feb. 9. Hoffman, who received a standing ovation from the Smith Center crowd, was joined on the court by coach Karen Shelton, Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham and Interim Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz.
"I feel so honored, almost like it isn't real," said Hoffman, the 2018 recipient of the Honda Sport Award for field hockey. "This whole college experience has been a whirlwind – it went by in the blink of an eye."
Prior to Saturday, the last time she was in the Smith Center was for UNC Commencement in December. A two-time All-ACC Academic honoree, Hoffman graduated with a degree in sociology and is now training full-time with the U.S. National Team. She was in Chapel Hill over the weekend for UNC's team banquet, in between trips to South America and New Zealand with the National Team.
Hoffman started every game in her four years at UNC wearing jersey No. 13, a number that is now the most iconic in UNC program history. It has the rare distinction of having been retired twice: first for Cindy Werley and now for Hoffman.
Werley was the Honda Award winner in 1996 and 1997, and she remains the program's all-time leader in goals and points. Following her senior season, jersey No. 13 was retired in her honor, and no one had worn it at UNC since.
Hoffman grew up wearing No. 13 and by the time she was being recruited, schools were using the number's availability as part of their pitches. After talking with Werley and receiving her blessing, UNC coach Karen Shelton told Hoffman that No. 13 was hers for four years.
"I would never have asked," Hoffman said. "But the fact that it was offered showed me how much Coach Shelton valued me as a player. I am extremely appreciative to Cindy Werley for saying yes."
It's the second time a top player has come to UNC and brought a number out of retirement. Jersey No. 9 was retired for Rachel Dawson following the 2007 season, but Dawson gave her permission for Emily Wold, a three-time All-America at UNC, to wear it from 2012-15.
"Cindy was extremely gracious about bringing her number out of retirement," Shelton said. "She was an amazing player here and will always been recognized as one of the top performers in our program. Jersey No. 13 already occupied a special place in UNC history, and now that's even more so the case."
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