Field Hockey | 11/15/2021 11:57:00 AM

PITTSFORD, N.Y. – Victoria Bothner of the St. John Fisher College field hockey program has announced that she will step down as the head coach of the Cardinals effective November 22nd to pursue other career opportunities in the Rochester area.

Former standout and current assistant coach Kelly Bergamo will assume the coaching and recruiting duties on an interim basis as the department conducts a national search for its next head coach.

The program's all-time leader in career victories, Bothner has built the Cardinals' field hockey program into one of the most well-respected programs in the region and beyond.  Since taking over the reins in 2014, Bothner has posted an impressive 106-41 (.721) overall record including a 53-5 mark in Empire 8 play.

"Tori will be deeply missed," added Director of Athletics Bob Ward.  "Her excellence in all facets of coaching, attention to detail and organizational skills with all the she was involved with at the College were exceptional.  Her competitive nature was second to none.  To have a long-term winning percentage of 72% is tremendous in any NCAA sport and in any NCAA Division.  To achieve this over a period of time is an example of Tori's dedication to her craft and her relationships with her players.  We wish her all the best going forward."

With Bothner on the sidelines, Fisher, which has not lost in conference play since 2018, won the Empire 8 Championship three times in all including each of the last two seasons and reached the NCAA Division III Championship twice.  In 2016, the Cardinals posted a program record 19 wins and reached the Sweet 16 for the first time in their history after orchestrating a program-best 18-game winning streak.  That year concluded with Bothner being named the Front Rush/National Field Hockey Coaches Association North Atlantic Region Coach of the Year marking yet another first for the program.

A three-time Empire 8 Coach of the Year selection, Bothner has mentored numerous All-Conference and All-Region selections.  Under her guidance, Fisher has boasted the Empire 8 Player of the Year five times during her tenure including each of the last three seasons.  Bothner has had three players named the conference's Rookie of the Year while three more were named the Empire 8 Championship's Most Valuable Player.

An All-Conference player in her own right at Division I Miami (Ohio), Bothner recruited and developed four players who have gone on to earn five All-America selections.

Over the last eight seasons, Bothner has guided Fisher to the postseason every year with the Cardinals reaching the Empire 8 title game and beyond five times in all.

This season, Fisher was once again the team to beat in the Empire 8 as Bothner's squad cruised to an 8-0 mark in the regular season.  The Cardinals, who were among the league's leaders in nearly every statistical category, posted back-to-back shutouts in the postseason to win their second straight Empire 8 Championship and were one of 26 teams to earn a spot in the NCAA Championship.

Stay up-to-date with the latest news, scores, highlights and more by downloading the official mobile app for Fisher Athletics.  Just search SJFC Athletics in the App Store or on Google Play and download today for free.  Follow the Cardinals on social media for more! Instagram  |  Twitter