HARTFORD, Conn. - Trinity College Director of Athletics Drew Galbraith has announced the hiring of Jessica Bergen as its next head field hockey coach.  Bergen comes to Trinity from Westfield State University, where she led the Owls to Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference titles in 2014 and 2021. She also guided Westfield State to a runner-up finish in the Little East Conference in 2017 and was named the Little East Coach of the Year for her efforts that fall.  Bergen graduated from Skidmore College with a bachelor's degree in exercise science, where she ranks among the top 50 goal scorers all-time for the Thoroughbreds, and also owns a master's degree in exercise science from Springfield College.  She replaces Anne Parmenter, who retired from coaching this winter after 22 seasons and a Hall of Fame career with the Bantams.

"We are thrilled to have Jessica Bergen join our family as the leader of the Bantam field hockey program," said Galbraith.  "Jessica has excelled as a coach, teacher, and mentor during her career and is a wonderful fit for Trinity College with her focus on developing students in scholarship, sport, and service.   We are excited about the leadership Jessica will bring to the Trinity campus and look forward to this next chapter for Bantam field hockey.

Bergen began her coaching career at Springfield, where she was an assistant coach from 2008 to 2010, helping the Pride win the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference crown and participate in the NCAA Tournament in her first season.  Springfield finished as the NEWMAC runner-up in Bergen's second year, and she went on to serve as head coach at Southwick-Tolland High School in Massachusetts from 2010 to 2012.  Bergen is active with USA Field Hockey where she has been a coach, a coach educator, and an administrator for several years.  She has also run the HTC Field Hockey club in Hartford since 2013.

"I am extremely grateful to Trinity College Director of Athletics Drew Galbraith as well as the search committee for the opportunity to join the Trinity College field hockey program," said Bergen.. "I am excited to continue to build upon the strong foundation that Anne Parmenter and Robin Sheppard have built. The Trinity College field hockey program is poised for success with motivated and passionate women who strive for excellence. I am excited to serve them as we honor the program's legacy."