News & Events

Norfolk Academy marked the retirement of legendary teacher and Field Hockey Head Coach Mary Werkheiser with an announcement: The beautiful turf field at the front of the school will be named Werkheiser Field in honor of her contributions over a 36-year career as a coach and Lower School P.E. Teacher.

The naming came at the request of the donors, Angie and Dan Clarkson, who partnered with Norfolk Academy to build the water-based astro turf field in 2015 during the school's Defining Leadership campaign, but who chose to remain anonymous while their three children were attending Norfolk Academy. The youngest, Mia '25, who played on state championship teams in 2021, 2023, and 2024, gave remarks at closing faculty meetings on behalf of the family, emphasizing the lifelong impact that Coach Werkheiser has had on generations of young women.

“I think of all of the players who come back time and again to visit and honor Werkie," Mia said. “She has helped so many of us develop into prepared, successful young women. If you can call on your coach 20 years later, then you've found a good one — a special bond."

Mia will attend Penn State in the fall and will play field hockey there. Her older sister, Lily '18, played hockey for the Bulldogs during three state championship seasons (2014, 2016, 2017) and went on to play at the University of Pennsylvania. The Clarksons' son, Joey '22, also participated actively in NA athletics, competing on two state championship teams; he currently swims for Franklin & Marshall College.

In her historic career for the Bulldogs, Coach Werkheiser's teams won six state championships and 25 TCIS championships, with more than 450 victories. She was the school's inaugural winner, along with Tom Duquette, of the Excellence in Coaching Award, and she has been TCIS Coach of the Year 14 times. She was inducted into the prestigious Regional Training Center's Ring of Honor and she was this year's winner of the Norfolk Sports Club's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Her influence, however, is more profound than any stats can measure. She often said, “When you make the field hockey team, you’re part of a family," and that bond is felt by generations of players, as Mia noted on behalf of the Clarkson family: “It is our hope that the dedication of this field will inspire athletes to carry on the same values and traditions you have instilled in me, my sister, and countless others."