ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Roberts Wesleyan University Executive Director of Athletics, Bob Segave has announced the hiring of Marissa Kocher as the head coach for women's field hockey.
Kocher becomes the first head coach in Roberts' history for the newly-added women's field hockey program which will begin in the fall of 2023.
"We are excited to have Marissa join our coaching staff," said Segave. "I am confident that her experience and passion for the sport is exactly what we need to kick start this brand-new program. She knows what Roberts Wesleyan is all about and the culture we look to create here to positively impact our student-athletes.
Kocher has been a part of the Roberts Wesleyan community for the past two and a half years as the Admissions Coordinator for the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy program. In addition to her position at Roberts, Kocher served as an assistant coach for the SUNY Geneseo women's field hockey team for the past five seasons. In 2019, Kocher helped lead the Geneseo Knights to a 19-3 overall record and a SUNYAC title following a 4-3 win over Cortland in the championship game. Geneseo advanced to the NCAA Division III tournament that season.
Outside of collegiate field hockey, Kocher has built an extensive network among other coaches and local athletes in her role as head coach for the travel team, RNY Field Hockey, as well as coaching in USA Field Hockey's Nexus program.
"I want to thank Bob Segave and the search committee for the opportunity to start a brand-new NCAA Division II field hockey program in Rochester," said Kocher. "I am incredibly blessed and honored to lead the first-ever field hockey team at Roberts. I look forward to guiding student-athletes in a transformational college experience, both on and off the field. The sense of community and culture at Roberts means so much to me and I know will be a key contributor in developing a competitive team. It's an exciting time to be a Redhawk and I am thrilled to build this program."
Kocher has already begun recruiting and building out plans for the fall 2023 season.
Roberts Wesleyan now offers 20 varsity-level athletics programs, which include the four new added sports of women's field hockey, women's triathlon, Esports, and men's volleyball. All new programs are set to begin in the 2023-2024 athletic year.
