COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Field Hockey has announced that Penn State Harrisburg field hockey head coach Amanda Janney Misselhorn is the recipient of the 2024 USA Field Hockey Humanitarian Award presented by AAE.


The organization's humanitarian award is presented annually to an individual who has transcended the game of field hockey and achieved something inspirational to us all. This individual has used field hockey to better themselves, his/her community and beyond.


Inclusivity has been at the forefront of Misselhorn's mission since becoming the program's first head coach in 2023 and under her tutelage, Penn State Harrisburg's Maggie Kutz became the first known student-athlete with Down Syndrome to play NCAA field hockey. Kutz, a member of Penn State Harrisburg's career studies program, started her first game in 2024 and has helped break down barriers throughout her career.


"I'm humbled by this award from USA Field Hockey and I'm so grateful that my husband, Walt, and I can live in central Pennsylvania and be a part of the field hockey community at all levels," said Misselhorn. "Having Maggie on our team has been amazing and she is a great reminder for all of us that hockey is about so much more than wins and losses and more about teamwork, dedication to something greater than yourself and connecting with others from whom we can learn."


The field hockey program hosted Career Studies Day prior to the team's contest against Sweet Briar on Sept. 13 and honored Kutz and her peers from Penn State Harrisburg's career studies program during a special pregame ceremony. Following the 2024 campaign, Kutz was named to the United East Field Hockey All-Sportsmanship Team.


"Coach Misselhorn has been a tremendous representative of our athletics program and she is certainly deserving of this honor," said Penn State Harrisburg director of athletics Rahsaan Carlton. "She has set an impressive standard for our field hockey program and student-athletes and she remains a massive advocate for the growth of the sport." 


Misselhorn personified USA Field Hockey's mission of growing the sport when she led Penn State Harrisburg into NCAA competition during the program's inaugural season in 2024. Under her leadership, the Lions put together an historic fall that saw them win nine games and make a run to the semifinal round of the United East Championship Tournament. Under her guidance, six players earned United East All-Conference honors, including first-team plaudits for Alexis Nasuta, Kylie Rife and Natalie Rocuskie, while Sadie Cook, Rachel Lane and Macenzie Mulholland secured second-team all-conference recognition.


"It's been an honor to start a program from the ground up and build a team culture around grit, resilience, integrity and teamwork," said Misselhorn. "We worked hard last year to recruit multi-talented players like Maggie, three transfers and our other talented student-athletes from central Pennsylvania. I'm grateful for the outstanding support staff and administration at Penn State Harrisburg, generous donors, supportive parents, helpful high school coaches and other enthusiastic college coaches who supported our program's first season."


USA Field Hockey's Annual Awards presented by AAE broadly recognize, honor and celebrate individuals across the field hockey community whose contributions have made a major and lasting impact on the game of field hockey in the United States.


Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Facebook, X, and Youtube using the handle @pshbgathletics.