Longtime Leavitt field hockey coach Wanda Ward-MacLean has been inducted into the Maine Field Hockey Association Hall of Fame.
Ward-MacLean was informed of her induction in a letter sent to her by the MFHA, which was shared with the media Thursday.
“Your dedication, relentless enthusiasm, and life long commitment to the sport of field hockey is greatly respected in our community,” MFHA President and Massabesic coach Katherine Fournier wrote in the letter. “Your fellow coaches, players, former players, and peers nominated you for this honor. You have experienced many successes over the last 40 years, but more importantly, you have created a legacy for colleagues.”
Ward-MacLean, who has led the Hornets to four state championships and eight state finals — including the program’s most recent title in 2021, has terminal metastatic breast cancer.
“Very few coaches in the State of Maine, regardless of sport, can begin to claim that success,” former Boothbay coach Donna Jordan said in the letter.
Leavitt celebrates winning the Class B state championship against Old Town on Nov. 6, 2021, in Augusta. Head coach Wanda Ward-MacLean is at far left. Dustin Williamson photo
The letter included sentiments from fellow coaches Sharon Gallant (Gardiner, retired), Jan Holmes Jackson (Belfast), Mary Beth Bourgoin (Winslow), Allen Holmes (Belfast, retired) and Jordan.
“As a very ‘green’ varsity coach, it was Wanda who helped me find my way by explaining how the KVAC B coaches work together and work to do what is best for our student athletes,” Bourgoin said in the letter. “As our coaching relationship continued, it was our friendship that I am most grateful for. We had some terrific ‘battles’ on the field with our teams … and, for the record, we were only able to win one game at Leavitt; coaching against Wanda at Leavitt has been one of the biggest and most exciting challenges as a coach. However, it was the time before and after each game I cherish the most; I always enjoyed talking about field hockey and our lives outside of school and field hockey. She is a true inspiration.”
“I always enjoyed our chats after our game talking about key players, competitors we played and life in general,” Holmes Jackson said in the letter. “She is a tremendous coach. She has coached many regional and state championships, has an incredible winning record and has had many girls go on to play college field hockey. Wanda is very deserving of this award for her lifetime achievements with Leavitt field hockey.”
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