Phyllis Ocker Field Hockey Field

The Woman Behind the University of Michigan's Female Sports

Phyllis Ocker Field Hockey Field (September 2024). Photo by Claire Newman.

by Claire Newman

Holding the 12th rank in Division 1 field hockey, the University of Michigan’s field hockey team is highly accomplished ("D1"). While certain sports at the university receive much fanfare, the field hockey team is an overlooked powerhouse. The woman to credit for the sport’s success? Phyllis Ocker, a trailblazer for women's sports at the University of Michigan. The Phyllis Ocker Field Hockey Field is named after this accomplished woman who changed the trajectory of all women's sports at the University of Michigan.

Phyllis Ocker, born in 1926, was a natural athlete and trailblazer (Walsh). While she was an extremely talented baseball player, she wasn’t allowed to play on the boy's team, so she decided to prove her talent by joining one of the best softball teams in her area (Walsh). After completing two degrees, participating in athletic programs, and coaching softball and field hockey, Ocker set out for Ann Arbor to work as a physical education teacher at the University of Michigan with hopes of earning her Ph.D ("Phyllis Mae").

Ocker held many titles during her time at UM: teacher, athletics administrator, field hockey coach, and member of the Burns Committee, to name a few ("Phyllis Ocker"). In 1973, she was an active member of the Burns Committee, which developed the architecture for women’s varsity sports programs ("Phyllis Ocker"). Students who participated in field hockey met with the Burns Committee in hopes of turning field hockey into an approved women’s varsity sport, and their wish was granted (Walsh).

In 1974, Ocker started coaching field hockey while continuing to teach, later adding administrative duties to her workload (Walsh). Shortly after, she was appointed associate director of women’s athletics, only the third woman to hold this title ("Phyllis Ocker"). In this position, Ocker upheld her standards for academic excellence for athletes, increased scholarship money for female athletes, and ensured achievements made by female student-athletes were recognized (Walsh).

Phyllis Ocker (2013). Photo courtesy: MGoBlue.com.

The Phyllis Ocker Field Hockey Field was constructed in 1995, and soon after, was formally dedicated to Ocker. This field has since been remodeled twice to incorporate modern technology and extend seating for fans ("Phyllis Ocker"). The name Phyllis comes from Greek origin and means “foliage” or “greenery”, which seems quite fitting for a field hockey field (Abner).

Phyllis Ocker stands as a champion of athletics and progress. Despite the resistance to change many of her colleagues carried, Ocker defeated all odds and shaped the women’s sports program into what it is today. While Ocker faced challenges and setbacks from all angles and administrations, she never let those get in the way of her end goal- ensuring women’s sports got the recognition and respect they deserved. Had it not been for Phyllis Ocker, women’s sports at the University of Michigan may not have been as notable and accomplished as they are today.

Works Cited

Abner, Rhayn. “Phyllis.” Baby Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity, www.thebump.com/b/phyllis-baby-name. Accessed 29 Sept. 2024.

“DI Field Hockey Rankings - NCAA Field Hockey RPI.” NCAA.Com, NCAA.com, 9 Sept. 2019, www.ncaa.com/rankings/fieldhockey/d1/ncaa-field-hockey-rpi.

Newman, Claire. Phyllis Ocker Field Hockey Field. 20 September, 2024. Author's personal collection.

“Phyllis Mae Ocker.” UM Staff Memoirs and Memories, staff-memoir.dc.umich.edu/phyllis-mae-ocker/. Accessed 29 Sept. 2024.

“Phyllis Ocker Field Hockey Field.” University of Michigan Athletics, mgoblue.com/sports/2017/6/16/facilities-ocker-field-html. Accessed 29 Sept. 2024.

Walsh, Ami. “A Leader of Vision and Determination: Phyllis Ocker.” University of Michigan Athletics, mgoblue.com/news/2013/9/12/A_Leader_of_Vision_and_Determination_Phyllis_Ocker. Accessed 29 Sept. 2024.

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