BOSTON, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts Boston Department of Athletics and Recreation is proud to announce the hiring of Kellie Stigas as the university's Head Field Hockey Coach, marking an exciting new chapter for Beacon Athletics as the program prepares for its inaugural season.
Stigas joins UMass Boston with seven seasons of NCAA Division I coaching experience and a proven track record of player development, recruiting, and program-building within some of New England's most competitive collegiate environments. She brings valuable experience, including two previous coaching stops within the UMass system, as a coach at Providence College, Northeastern University, UMass Lowell, and UMass Amherst.
"We are thrilled to welcome Kellie to the Beacon family," said Jacqueline Schuman Ed.D., Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics and Recreation at UMass Boston. "Stepping into her first head coaching role, Kellie brings incredible energy, perspective, and vision to this program. Her passion for the holistic development of student-athletes, deep ties to New England field hockey, and understanding of the UMass Boston mission make her the perfect leader to launch our field hockey program. She embodies important values of academic excellence, integrity, and community that define UMass Boston Athletics. We're confident she will inspire our student-athletes and establish a foundation of success for years to come"
At Providence College, Stigas served as the program's lead recruiter, overseeing domestic and international recruiting efforts while implementing player development plans, video analysis systems, and performance technology. She previously coached at Northeastern University, where she led defensive strategy and helped guide one of the top recruiting classes in the country, as well as at UMass Lowell and UMass Amherst, where she gained firsthand experience supporting student-athletes within the UMass system.
A former team captain and standout player at Northeastern University, Stigas was a five-time National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Academic All-American and two-time team captain. She holds a USA Field Hockey Level 3 Coaching Accreditation and remains active in the sport through the USA Field Hockey Nexus Program and her own youth clinics across Massachusetts.
"I'm incredibly thrilled and honored to lead the launch of UMass Boston Field Hockey," said Stigas. "This is an exciting opportunity to build a program rooted in pride, purpose, and connection, one that reflects the energy of the city and the values of Beacon Athletics. I can't wait to get started and create a championship culture from the ground up. I would like to thank Dr. Jacqueline Schuman and Stephanie Dollar for believing in me, and to all my mentors who have helped prepare me for this moment. Let's get to work, Beacon Nation!"
The Beacons' field hockey program will begin competition in Fall 2026, becoming the newest addition to UMass Boston's growing roster of varsity sports.
For more information about UMass Boston Athletics, the new field hockey program, or player tryouts visit www.beaconsathletics.com.
