Longtime ND coach Major retires
After 50 grand and glorious years on the sideline at Notre Dame, Barb Major has decided to step down as the Irish field hockey coach.
“When I started in 1969, I never envisioned I’d still be there 50 years later,” said Major, who has over 500 wins in her legendary career. “I have been so blessed. It’s never been about the wins or losses, I just want to teach the girls a love of the game of hockey and at the same time teach some life values.”
Major has succeeded on and off the field.
The venerable coach was feted this weekend at a luncheon that featured current and former players and even a few mothers and daughters that both learned the game from Major.
“It brought back so many great memories,” Major said. “I’m so thankful for everyone and everything.”
This season the Irish were 11-7 and reached the quarterfinals of the Mercer County Tournament.
“I told this juniors on the team the other day, that I’ll be out there watching next year,” said Major, who has won several sectional titles. “They’re still my girls.”
From 1969 to 2018 there are a lot of “her” girls and all of them are better young ladies for having known and played for Major.
When the late Jim Davis sat down with Al Mattei for an interview he mentioned why field hockey was so special to him.
This was taken from Mattei’s “The Legends” column on his Top of the Circle website.
“Field hockey has been special for me because of the three coaches I have been dealing with for all these years,” Davis said. “I haven’t had that experience with Barb Skiba, Barb Major, and Joyce Jones on the sidelines with any other sports I have covered.”
Jim Davis and Barb Major — two great legends of the game.