Legendary Field Hockey Coach Robin Balducci Announces Retirement

DURHAM, N.H. – Robin Balducci '85, a decorated three-sport athlete, Universlty of New Hampshire Athletics Hall of Fame (1998) and National Field Hockey Coaches Hall of Fame inductee (2017), and four-time America East championship-winning coach, announced Monday that she will retire in early January as the head field hockey coach of her alma mater after 35 years at the helm, to cap her legendary career following the Wildcats' 2025 America East championship season.

"Robin's contributions to UNH Athletics are immeasurable," said Director of Athletics Allison Rich. "From her days as a dominant student-athlete to becoming the cornerstone of our field hockey program as head coach, she exemplifies what it means to be a Wildcat for Life. Her leadership has shaped generations of student-athletes, and her competitive spirit and integrity have set a gold standard for our community. She has been an important resource for me in my time here as well and I know that will continue. Robin's impact will be felt at this university for decades to come."

Balducci concludes her remarkable tenure as the all-time winningest coach in program history with 339 career victories. Her teams earned five NCAA Tournament appearances, including four straight from 2010-13, seven America East regular-season championships, and 29 postseason berths. The Milford, Mass., native became the first to receive three consecutive America East Coach of the Year accolades and retires with the most overall conference coaching awards with six (1998, 2000, 2010-13). Additionally, she is a two-time Northeast Region Coach of the Year (1998, 2011).

"UNH has been my life, my home and my passion," Balducci said. "I am a Wildcat for Life, and though I am stepping away from coaching, I will never leave this place. I am profoundly grateful to all the student-athletes who trusted me, to the coaching staff who stood by me, and to the administrators who supported our vision. Together, we built something special: memories and milestones that will stay with me forever. Thank you for allowing me to do what I love."

Balducci directed New Hampshire to double-digit wins 18 times, including each of the past four seasons, with a program-tying benchmark of 17 victories in 2011.

The 2025 season was highlighted by earning a share of the America East regular-season crown, winning the conference tournament championship and advancing to the NCAA tourney. The 'Cats finished with 12 wins and ranked No. 5 in the nation in scoring offense for the second consecutive year.

Under Balducci's tutelage, Wildcat student-athletes earned a multitude of accolades:

All-Americans	22
All-America First Team	5
All-Region Honorees	90
America East Player of the Year	1992, 1994, 2000
AE Offensive Player of the Year	2008, 2009, 2011, 2023, 2024, 2025
AE Defensive Player of the Year	2012, 2013, 2021
AE Goalkeeper of the Year	2013, 2023
AE Rookie of the Year	1997, 2002, 2019, 2022, 2024
AE All-Conference First Team	71
AE All-Conference Second Team	50

During her playing days, Balducci served as captain for the Wildcats in field hockey, ice hockey, and lacrosse. As a four-year starter in both field hockey and ice hockey, and a three-year starter in lacrosse, Balducci led UNH to both regional and national prominence. She earned Regional All-America honors in both field hockey, where she still holds the program record with 31 career shutouts, and ice hockey, where she ranks seventh on the all-time point scoring list (180).

In 1985, Balducci was the starting goalkeeper for the Wildcat lacrosse team that won the only NCAA team championship in UNH history. The entire national championship lacrosse team was inducted into the inaugural class of the UNH Department of Women's Athletics Hall of Honor in 1994 and Balducci herself was inducted in 1998 in recognition of her individual accomplishments.

Balducci's retirement will be official in early January. UNH will conduct a national search for her successor.

Robin Balducci At-a-Glance
Hall of Fame Honors
• National Field Hockey Coaches Hall of Fame inductee (2017)
• UNH Athletics Hall of Fame (1998)
• Women's Athletics Hall of Honor (1994, team induction)

As Head Coach
• 35-year tenure as UNH Field Hockey head coach (1991-2025)
• All-time winningest coach in program history: 339 victories
• Four America East tournament titles
• Seven America East regular-season championships
• Five NCAA Tournament appearances: (including 4 straight from 2010–13)
• 2025 America East champions, ranked No. 5 nationally in scoring offense

Coaching accolades
6× America East Coach of the Year (most in conference history)
2× Northeast Region Coach of the Year

Player development
• 22 All-America honors (5 First Team)
• 90 All-Region honorees
• 71 All-Conference First Team selections

As a Student-Athlete
• Three-sport standout: Field Hockey, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse; served as captain in all three sports.
• Four-year starter in field hockey and ice hockey; three-year starter in lacrosse
• Program record: 31 career shutouts as a field hockey goalkeeper
• Ranks seventh all-time in ice hockey scoring with 180 points.
• 1985 NCAA Champion: Starting goalkeeper for UNH lacrosse team—the only NCAA team championship in school history

About UNH Athletics
UNH Athletics is committed to providing an outstanding student-athlete experience and fostering NCAA Division I teams that are a source of pride for the University community, the State of New Hampshire, and UNH alumni worldwide. UNH Athletics creates and sustains a culture of Competitive Excellence, Leadership and Service, Engagement, Academic Success, and Respect, Integrity, and Inclusion. UNH Athletics is dedicated to supporting an environment in which student-athletes can thrive—competing for conference and national championships, pursuing their academic, athletic, and personal goals, and becoming Wildcats for Life.

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