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Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ will host the USA Para Field Hockey National Team Jersey Ceremony on campus August 8, 2026, bringing together athletes, coaches, families and community members to celebrate the team ahead of their first international competition. The event, held at 7pm in Ä¢¹½´«Ã½\u2019s Auditorium in partnership with USA Field Hockey Missouri Chapter, marks one of the most visible moments yet for the newly formed Para team and the University’s growing relationship with adapted and para-athletics.<\/p>\n
The FIH (International Hockey Federation) will host its inaugural Para Hockey World Cup in Belgium and Netherlands August 20-24, 2026. Though Para Hockey has 3 disciplines (Intellectual Disabilities, Physical Disabilities, and Wheelchair Hockey), the World Cup will showcase teams made up of co-ed athletes with Intellectual Disabilities (Hockey ID), in a 6-aside pool play format featuring 16 countries.<\/p>\n
This event runs simultaneously with the FIH Men’s and Women’s World Cup, where our USA Women\u2019s National team will also be competing. Maggie Young, Head Coach of Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Field Hockey<\/a>, has spent nearly two decades building programs that extend far beyond the game itself, placing character, relationships, and personal growth at the center of her coaching philosophy. She believes athletics provides a powerful platform to develop confident leaders, resilient teammates, and exceptional people.<\/p>\n Young holds a degree in Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Science from Ball State University and is licensed in Adapted Physical Education, reflecting her commitment to creating meaningful and inclusive learning environments for every student-athlete.<\/p>\n “Hosting this ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate the incredible athletes who will represent our country on the world stage in August,” said Young. “It’s also a chance for our student-athletes and the St. Louis community to witness their dedication, resilience, and excellence, while seeing firsthand what’s possible through sport.”<\/p>\n Young’s ties to Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ run deep: she is the daughter of a 1964 Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ graduate and the niece of two 1960 alumnae, making this event a full-circle moment for her family’s long relationship with the University.<\/p>\n Ä¢¹½´«Ã½’s campus is a place where the surrounding community isn’t just invited to visit but is treated as a genuine stakeholder in what happens here. Moments like this are exactly why Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Athletics builds fields, hosts events and opens its doors to be a hub for community engagement in addition to competitions. Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ is proud to give a stage to celebrate when the U.S. National Team receives their jerseys for the first time. The jersey ceremony comes as USA Field Hockey<\/a> continues to expand opportunities for para and disability-inclusive athletes through programs like All Starz<\/a>, the organization’s disability-inclusive hockey initiative.<\/p>\n “Being selected to wear a USA jersey is one of the greatest honors an athlete can achieve,” Young said. “We’re proud that Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ can provide a platform to celebrate these remarkable athletes and recognize the dedication, sacrifice, and perseverance that brought them to this moment. We’re especially excited for our Saints to cheer on Team USA throughout the tournament, with the hope of supporting the growth of Para Hockey here in St. Louis.\u201d<\/p>\n Team USA will be practicing on the water turf at Principia School on Saturday August 8 (9-11:30am & 4-6pm) and Sunday August 9 (9am-12pm). Both the practices and Jersey Ceremony are open to the public. Local Para athletes are welcome to join and practice with the team.<\/p>\n