The Old Dominion field hockey program initiated as the Norfolk Division Braves of the College of William & Mary in 1930, competing with local high school clubs and trade schools prior to its independence. Once the independent Old Dominion College was established after governor Albertis Harrison dissolved the William & Mary college system in 1962, the field hockey program began competitions with other local, independent college clubs.[3]
Competitions expanded past the local level after the hiring of head coach Beth Anders in the early 1980s. Under her 30-season tenure as head coach, the Monarchs achieved nine NCAA tournament championship titles, producing six Honda Sports Award winners and 17 competitors in the Olympic Games. Anders helped the U.S. field hockey team win bronze in the 1984 Summer Olympics, won 12 CAA Coach of the Year awards, and was the winningest coach in NCAA history upon her retirement.[4] The Monarchs hired former Canadian forward Andrew Griffiths following Anders' departure.[5] Griffiths remains as ODU's head coach as of the 2023 season.
The Monarchs previously competed in the Colonial Athletic Association from 1991 to 2012 prior to Old Dominion's move to the FBS. While Conference USA served as ODU's primary conference starting in 2013, they did not sponsor field hockey as a sport. The field hockey program joined the new Big East Conference as an associate member following its conference realignment.[6]
The Monarchs play their games at the Powhatan Sports Complex on ODU campus in Norfolk, Virginia, which permanently seats 1,500 and holds an AstroTurf playing surface.[7] The venue has received national attention through its hosting of three NCAA field hockey championships.
The Old Dominion field hockey program previously played at Foreman Field (now S.B. Ballard Stadium) prior to the establishment of the sports complex in 2008. Three previous NCAA tournament championships were played at Foreman Field, including the 2000 championship won by Old Dominion.
