Horgan named USA Field Hockey National Umpire Director

Increasing number of umpires a key priority in new full time role

COLORADO SPRINGS, C.O.- USA Field Hockey is delighted to announce Steve Horgan (Wilmington, DE) has accepted a full-time position as National Umpire Director, effective immediately. In January 2011, Horgan assumed a part-time position with USA Field Hockey as the National Umpire and Technical Manager.  In the last year, Horgan has worked to create umpiring consistency through all levels of play and increase the quantity of umpires for both outdoor and indoor field hockey.

“Steve’s role will be considerably more involved than in the past and he will supervise all functions of umpiring from recruiting, education, critique, and over-all administration,” says Executive Director, Steve Locke. “Steve brings years of experience ranging from umpiring at the Olympic level to having the most precise mind of understanding rules within the USA.”

In 2012, USA Field Hockey has placed umpiring a top priority program and is committed to creating initiatives that will increase professionalism, quantity and quality of umpires across the United States.

“Steve’s employment will be step one in that process,” says Locke. “He brings a vast amount of knowledge and experience to the table and will without a doubt be successful in his new role.”

Horgan’s main responsibilities will include expanding the education process and growing the number of USA Field Hockey umpire members to 1,000 by 2013. He will reorganize the Regional Umpire Coordinator system and restore the evaluation process for better ratings and assessments of umpires. In addition, Horgan will be the leader in creating umpire academies throughout the United States that will hopefully introduce new and young umpires to the game.

“I am very excited and honored to be afforded the opportunity to work within the umpire community at this capacity,” says Horgan. “I look to continue my passion, commitment and support of hockey umpires and will work with every division of USA Field Hockey to continue to improve the quality and quantity of umpires across the country.”

Horgan has extensive umpire and technical experience, including involvement in two Olympic Games and two International Hockey Federation (FIH) World Cups, along with 85 International matches. Prior to joining the international ranks, Horgan umpired NCAA, scholastic and club matches. Currently Horgan serves as the Rules Interpreter for both USA Field Hockey and the NCAA.