News & Events

Mary Werkheiser, who served as a teacher-coach at Norfolk Academy from 1989-2025, will be inducted into the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame in January 2026. 

Inductees are true legends of the game. The honorees will be recognized on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the NFHCA Hall of Fame Reception and Awards Dinner in Florida.

“Mary Werkheiser has established herself as one of the most successful and influential high school coaches in the nation," the NFHCA said. “A cornerstone of Norfolk Academy athletics for more than three decades, Werkheiser has combined competitive excellence, leadership, and tireless service to shape the future of the sport and inspire generations of athletes."

A teacher at NA for 36 years, until her retirement in June, and the Bulldogs' varsity head coach for 30, Werkheiser won six VISAA state championships during her storied career, the final one in her final season, 2024. Her program has also sent more than 60 student-athletes on to compete in NCAA field hockey.

Werkheiser earned 14 TCIS Coach of the Year honors, and in 2005, she became the inaugural recipient of NA's Excellence in Coaching Award. In 2021, she was inducted into the Tidewater Field Hockey Ring of Honor. Beyond Norfolk Academy, she has made a lasting impact on the sport statewide and nationally. She dedicated more than 20 years of service to the VISAA State Field Hockey Committee. As co-founder of TCOYO Field Hockey Club, she created elite training and competition pathways for countless athletes.

“I’m truly honored and humbled to be inducted into the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame," Werkheiser said. “This sport has been such a huge part of my life—it’s where I’ve found purpose, joy, and lifelong friendships. To be recognized in this way means more than I can put into words.”