One of the most decorated coaches in the history of collegiate field hockey, Nicky Pearson has been the head coach of the Bowdoin field hockey team since 1996. In the years since she has taken over the team, the Polar Bears have established themselves as the premiere team in Division III field hockey, qualifying for the postseason every year, making Final Four appearances in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2015; and reaching double-digits in wins in every year under Pearson's leadership.
Additionally, Pearson has coached the Polar Bears to four Division III Championships, earning titles in 2007, '08, '10 and '13. Seven times she has been honored as the NESCAC Coach of the Year (2000 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010), a conference record, and four times, in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2013, Pearson earned her profession's highest honor when she was recognized as the Division III Coach of the Year following each of Bowdoin's national championships.
In 2007, she directed the Polar Bears to a perfect 20-0 campaign and NCAA Championship - the first by any team in school history. She has won the NESCAC Tournament Championship seven times - more than any other coach in conference history.
Pearson has established a reputation for developing players to their full potential. Her players have collected more than 50 NFHCA All-American awards and six players Heather Hawes ('99), Taryn King ('05), Lindsay McNamara ('07, '08), Ella Curren ('11), Brooke Phinney ('12), and Rachel Kennedy ('14, '15) have earned NESCAC Player of the Year recognition. Additionally, hundreds of players have achieved NFHCA Academic All-American status.
A native of Hereford (England), Pearson attended St. Mary's College of London, receiving her Bachelor of Education in Physical Education and Biology. While in England, Pearson was a member of the National Field Hockey Club Champions and competed at the European Club Field Hockey Championships in Frankfurt, Germany in 1990. Her accolades include All-England Women's Field Hockey Association Coaches Award and the British Weight Training Coaches Award.
