Former record holder Thorpe named head coach of Kenyon field hockey

Tommy Bell, Kenyon College’s interim director of athletics, fitness and recreation, announced Wednesday the hiring of Meridith Thorpe as head coach of the Owls field hockey program. Thorpe, a former NCAA Division I assistant coach and player, brings a wealth of experience to the table.

“I would like to thank Tommy Bell and Vice President [Student Affairs] Celestino Limas for this incredible opportunity,” Thorpe said. “It is an honor to have been asked to lead this group of incredible young women in our next chapter of Kenyon hockey. Kenyon's academic reputation, commitment to the overall student experience, stellar athletic programs, and highly-motivated young people is the perfect recipe for success.”

A graduate of University of Virginia, Thorpe’s playing days for the Cavaliers included an Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year award, two team MVP awards, four All-ACC awards and four All-America honors. At the time of her graduation, she was both Virginia’s and the ACC’s record holder with 230 career points and 101 career goals.

In addition to her collegiate playing experience, throughout the mid-1990s Thorpe was a member of the United States Under-18 and Under-21 National Field Hockey teams. In 1996, she was named to the United States Senior National Field Hockey team.

Following her playing career, Thorpe began her coaching path as an assistant at The Ohio State University for two seasons. In 2001, she returned to Virginia to coach the Cavaliers for six seasons and, during that span, the program was consistently ranked within the Top-20 and twice made appearances in the NCAA Tournament.

Thorpe then spent one year as an assistant coach at University of Richmond before moving back to the Big Ten in 2007, accepting an assistant coaching job at University of Iowa. During her two-year stay in Iowa City, the Hawkeyes were a combined 35-9 with two Big Ten Tournament championships and one NCAA Final Four appearance.

In 2009, Thorpe moved to Saint Louis and began working at John Burroughs School, taking on multiple duties, including assistant principal, physical education teacher, director of admissions, and varsity field hockey coach. In her 16 years at John Burroughs, Thorpe’s teams produced a 220-85-8 overall record and twice won state championships. She was twice named the Max Field Hockey Missouri Coach of the Year. During that same time, Thorpe spent five seasons as the director/head coach of the United States Field Hockey Association Futures Program (Region 10).

Currently, Thorpe serves as dean of students and families at City Academy Elementary School in Saint Louis. She plans to finish her duties there before officially starting at Kenyon on July 1.

“A builder by nature, I look forward to engaging fully in the process, creating an inclusive culture that aligns with Kenyon expectations, and ultimately elevates the program to new levels of success,” Thorpe said. “I see in Kenyon College hockey tremendous potential. The team is ready to invest, work hard, commit to doing the small things the right way all while enjoying each other on this incredible journey we are about to embark on.”