Kutztown field hockey showed promise in its first year under
head coach Marci Scheuing this fall, but the team still felt the
presence of its legendary predecessor, Betty Wesner. When
Scheuing took the reins, she maintained contact with the KU
coach of 33 years. After all, she might not be here in Kutztown
without the contributions of Wesner.
“That’s what drew me here,” Scheuing said. “I knew what
an amazing job she did after playing against her team for four
years (at Mansfield). You want to follow somebody like Betty
with a program that’s been taken care of for so many years
by a great coach.”
In her 33 seasons, Wesner finished with a 344-257-15 record.
This allowed her to retire as fourth all-time in NCAA Division II
wins, while her .571 winning percentage ranked seventh in
Division II at the time of retirement.
However, along the way, Wesner did much more than
just lead the field hockey program. Serving in the uni-
versity’s athletic department as a compliance officer
for 15 years, Wesner helped, in part, to bring women’s ath-
letics to its current standard of success. In addition, while
serving on field hockey committees in the Pa. State Athletic
Conference (PSAC) and National Field Hockey Coaches
Association (NFHCA), Wesner played a pivotal role in the
development of Division II field hockey as a whole.
Still, most importantly, her impact was felt by all of
her players. As a coach, her interactions with student-
athletes helped to build young women and create lasting
relationships.
“I think the thing I miss most after retirement is the
interaction with the student-athletes,” Wesner said.
Fittingly, the program paid honor to Wesner and her family
by hosting the Joshua W. Wesner Tournament in September
and held a ceremony for their longtime head coach.
“I feel blessed that the team feels the way they do
about me, my son, my family and the coaching staff,”
Wesner said.
T H E E N D O F A N E R A
