Legendary Jenepher Shillingford Officially Rededicates Field Named in Her Honor
On Sunday, September 15th, Bryn Mawr College celebrated the rededication of Shillingford Field, marking the completion of a state-of-the-art upgrade that brings one of the world’s most innovative playing surfaces to Bryn Mawr’s campus. The ceremony took place before Bryn Mawr field hockey faced Lynchburg at 1 p.m.
Associate Athletic Director Katie Tarr delivered remarks about the field's significance to the campus community. Jenepher Shillingford, the namesake of the field and a legendary figure in both Bryn Mawr athletics and the wider sports world, “cut” a ceremonial ribbon with the field hockey stick of Bryn Mawr’s first athletic director, Constance Applebee, to commemorate the ceremony. Bryn Mawr Athletic Director Cristina Fink and former Athletic Director Kathy Tierney assisted in this special moment, honoring Shillingford’s legacy.
Following the ceremony, a reception was held for Jenepher Shillingford’s friends, family, and the Bryn Mawr field hockey team and their families.
About Shillingford Field
Originally built in 1982, Shillingford Field is named in honor of Jenepher Shillingford, who served as Bryn Mawr’s athletic director and head field hockey coach from 1976 to 1998. Shillingford’s career includes numerous accolades, both at Bryn Mawr and on the national stage, as a player, coach, and administrator. Under her leadership, the Bryn Mawr field hockey team had a 169-165-24 record, making her one of the most successful coaches in the College’s history.
The recent renovations began in September 2023 and resulted in the installation of the revolutionary AstroTurf Paris GT surface. Bryn Mawr is one of the few institutions in the country to offer this cutting-edge playing surface, underscoring its commitment to sustainability and innovation in athletics. This new field is one of the first carbon-zero hockey turfs in the world, originally developed for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Key improvements also include the installation of a high-quality e-layer and the latest Polygras Paris GT Zero synthetic turf. Additionally, a modern scoreboard and updated field hockey striping have enhanced the functionality and aesthetic of the field, ensuring it meets the highest standards for competition.
Furthermore, the new field will have a significant impact on the practice schedules of the field hockey, soccer, and lacrosse teams. With a second field, the teams will no longer have to compete for practice time, which allows for more efficient and flexible scheduling. This upgrade will not only boost team cohesion but also provide scholar-athletes with greater opportunities for enhanced sport-specific training. As a result, Shillingford Field has become an essential asset for improving performance and maximizing practice time across multiple sports.
Victor Brady, field hockey head coach at Bryn Mawr, reflects on the significance of the field as a win not only for scholar-athletes, but as a testament to the growth of athletics at the College:
"The Paris GT surface is a gamechanger for our program. Having a proper hockey-only surface transforms how we play and will help our scholar-athletes pursue excellence in hockey. Bryn Mawr has a rich hockey history. The investment in this new field is reflective of the importance of that history, a testament to the work of our former scholar-athletes to build the program into what it is today and encourages our potential to consistently compete at a national level."
Jenepher Shillingford: A Lasting Legacy
Jenepher Shillingford’s career spans over 50 years, with significant contributions to both academia and athletics. A former U.S. Field Hockey goalkeeper (1955-57), she has held numerous leadership positions, including president of both the U.S. Women’s Lacrosse Association and USA Field Hockey. Shillingford has also served on NCAA committees and the U.S. Olympic Committee, further cementing her influence in shaping women’s sports at both national and international levels.
During her tenure at Bryn Mawr, Shillingford not only coached field hockey but also led the basketball, tennis, and lacrosse teams, leaving an indelible mark on the College’s athletic program. Her leadership and vision have shaped the future of sports at Bryn Mawr, and the rededication of Shillingford Field stands as a testament to her lasting legacy.
Fink reflected on the significance of this event:
"It was a special moment to be able to rededicate the field with Jen and Kathy on the field and to use Constance’s hockey stick during the ceremony. It is an amazing opportunity to recognize the legacy of these strong women who continue to support our program. It was moving to see our field hockey team wanting to put on a strong performance to honor Jen."
Post ceremony, Bryn Mawr field hockey went on to win 4-1 against No. 10 nationally ranked Lynchburg. The Owls’ win marks the first time in program history that Bryn Mawr won against a top-10 nationally ranked team.
For more information about the field’s renovation, go here.