BOONE, N.C. - When Doug Gillin began his tenure as Appalachian State's director of athletics in February 2015, the Mountaineers' field hockey program was without a coach or a conference. The team played at a beautiful new stadium, but the stadium consisted of only a field and stands (i.e., no bathrooms or team areas).
Fast forward to 2018, and App State field hockey is a program seriously on the rise.
After going 1-15 in 2016, the squad finished the 2017 season with an 8-11 record, its first season with at least eight wins since 2003.