UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; October 10, 2019 – Char Morett-Curtiss, long-time head coach of the Penn State field hockey team and a former All-American as a player for the Nittany Lions, will be inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame as part of the 2019 Inductee Class. The organization announced its new class earlier this summer and the induction ceremony is set for Nov. 7.
Morett-Curtiss is being inducted for her local accomplishments in field hockey and lacrosse. The Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame inducts individuals as both local athletes or as part of the city's professional sports teams.
A native of Aldan, Pennsylvania, Morett-Curtiss is a graduate of Lansdowne-Aldan High School and is now a member five Hall of Fames: The Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame (a 2019 inductee); Delaware County Hall of Fame; Pennsylvania Hall of Fame; USFHA Hall of Fame and the NFHCA Hall of Fame.
"I am extremely honored and humbled by my selection to the Philadelphia Hall of Fame as part of the 2019 Inductee Class," said Morett-Curtiss. "Growing up in Delaware County surrounded by so many outstanding sports programs and people, I thrived on being a passionate Philly girl. The Philadelphia sports teams and fans are some of the best in the country because of their loyalty and enthusiasm. I am in awe of the accomplishments of those in my class and those of previous inductees."
"I am sincerely grateful to my high school, college and Olympic coaches and my former teammates for the role they have played in my athletic career," the Penn State mentor continued. "I consider myself extremely fortunate because I was raised in a wonderful large family where competition began at an early age in streets, on ball fields, courts and the ice. My parents and siblings have been my inspiration and I am truly grateful and love them dearly. I am incredibly appreciative of Penn State for giving me the opportunity to receive an education, compete in both field hockey and lacrosse and to pursue a lifelong coaching career. I am very thankful to the Hall of Fame committee for bestowing this honor upon me."
Morett-Curtiss starred in field hockey and lacrosse at Penn State from 1975 to 1979. She set a Penn State record for goals in field hockey (50) and was captain of Penn State's 1979 team which went unbeaten in the regular season. Morett-Curtiss was honored as Penn State's Female Athlete-of-the-Year in 1979 as well. She was a three-time first-team All-American and was Most Valuable Player of the 1979 USWLA National Championship. Morett-Curtiss was a member of two national championship teams (1978, 1979).
The Lion mentor also excelled internationally. Morett-Curtiss was a three-time member of the United States Women's National Team (1980, 1983 and 1984). She was a member of two U.S. Olympic Teams, the 1984 team that won a Bronze Medal and the 1980 team that was part of the Olympic boycott. Morett-Curtiss was named U.S. Women's Field Hockey Co-Athlete-of-the-Year in 1982 as well.
Morett-Curtiss is in her 36th year as an NCAA field hockey head coach and her 33rd as the leader of the Nittany Lions. During her time at Penn State, she has led the Nittany Lions to seven Big Ten Championships and 28 appearances in the NCAA tournament. Morett-Curtiss has been named Big Ten Coach of the Year seven times and is among the top five in NCAA Division I career coaching victories.
"This is a well-deserved honor for Char and I know it is one that she treasures," said Penn State Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Sandy Barbour. "Char has had an amazing career as a student-athlete, coach and mentor. Her commitment to comprehensive excellence and her ability to use sport as a means to help young people grow and learn is something that makes all Penn Staters exceedingly proud. Her impact has been immeasurable, and our students and alumni are so fortunate to have had her at the helm of our program for these four decades."
The Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame 2019 Inductee class is as follows: Al Cantello, Track & Field; Bill Melchionni, Basketball; Charlene Morett-Curtiss, Field Hockey; Clara Schroth-Lomady, Gymnastics; Donovan McNabb, Football; Eric Desjardins, Hockey; Fran Dunphy, Basketball; Home Run Baker, Baseball; Jayson Stark, Baseball (Legacy of Excellence); Matt Saad Mohmamed, Boxing; Mike Scioscia, Baseball; Paul Owens, Baseball (Legacy of Excellence); Rasheed Wallace, Basketball; Suzy Kolber, Football (Legacy of Excellence); and Troy Vincent, Football.
The Hall of Fame's 16th Induction Ceremony and Reception is set for Thursday, Nov. 7, at the SugarHouse Event Center in Philadelphia, Pa. A new feature profile on Morett-Curtiss can be found here: HERE (click!)
Fans are encouraged to follow the Nittany Lion field hockey team online at www.GoPSUsports.com (click teams, click field hockey), on twitter @pennstateFH and on facebook at www.facebook.com/pennstatefieldhockey.
