Doris Kostrinsky, one of the most successful coaches in intercollegiate field hockey history, has announced her retirement as field hockey coach and as an associate professor in the School of Health Sciences and Human Performance. Her resignation becomes effective at the end of the spring semester.
Her tenure has spanned dramatic development in women's intercollegiate athletics. When Kostrinsky took over her first Ithaca College team in 1969, the Bombers were not afforded any postseason opportunities. Over the years she built the Ithaca program to compete at every level of play offered.
"I feel fortunate to have been in on the ground floor for women's athletics," said Kostrinsky. "The focus on women's athletics has increased -- that's been a real plus. I'm proudest of maintaining what is considered to be one of the most prominent Division III programs in the country each season."
The winningest field hockey coach in Ithaca College history, Kostrinsky accumulated a 282-135-23 (.667) record in her 27 seasons at the Bomber helm. She entered 1995 ranked second among active Division III field hockey coaches for number of victories.
Kostrinsky's clubs have forged a reputation for being highly competitive at the state, regional, and national levels. The Bombers won the NCAA Division III championship in 1982 and followed that up with a second- and two third-place showings. They ultimately reached the NCAA play-offs in 11 of Kostrinsky's last 13 seasons.
Prior to the NCAA's sponsorship of women's championships, Ithaca was a state and regional power. The Bombers won state titles in 1971, 1974, 1978, 1980, 1987, and 1990; they reached the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women postseason in 1979, 1980, 1981, and 1982.
Kostrinsky was inducted into the Ithaca College Sports Hall of Fame in 1984. Since then, eight of her players have received the same recognition. She has coached a total of 26 all-Americans in field hockey, including 11 academic all-Americans.
A past president of the College Field Hockey Coaches Association, Kostrinsky has been a member of the Mid-Atlantic Region All-America and Ranking Committees. She was one of the coaches selected for the inaugural CFHCA North/South Senior All-Star Game in 1990. In 1994 she received the New York State Women's Collegiate Athletic Association Service Award for her outstanding contributions to women's intercollegiate athletics. Kostrinsky holds a U.S.A. field hockey advanced level coaching certificate and has coached in the U.S. Olympic Field Hockey Development Program. She has published several articles on coaching in professional journals and in 1987 wrote a book entitled Field Hockey Coaching Drills.
Kostrinsky's successes have not, however, been limited to one sport. She served productive stints as Ithaca's head women's basketball and softball coach and was co-golf coach as well. Her basketball teams were 43-16 (.729) in six seasons while earning three state play-off berths, the 1974 state crown, and two regional invitations. Kostrinsky guided the Bomber softball squad to a 202-128-3 mark (.611), state titles in 1972 and 1975, five AIAW play-off appearances, and three NCAA postseason visits in 17 years.
"My 27 years at Ithaca College have gone by quickly and I've really enjoyed them, especially the challenges of coaching," said Kostrinsky. "[But] the time appears to be right to pursue some other interests I have."
Golf, for instance. One of the most successful amateur golfers in the area, Kostrinsky owns the women's course record at Cornell University's Robert Trent Jones golf course and at the Country Club of Ithaca. She competed in the 1972 U.S. Open and the 1970 and 1975 U.S. amateur championships, and she won the 1987 Pro-Pro Carolina Classic at Seabrook Island. In 1988 she qualified for the LPGA Corning Classic and in 1990 placed 14th at the United States Women's Eastern Amateur Championship. She also won the 1993 Merrill Lynch Celebrity Shootout at the Country Club of Ithaca.
For Kostrinsky, success in both coaching and
athletic performance is just par for the course.
Kudos for Kostrinsky
Sport (Seasons) Won Lost Tied Pct. Field Hockey (1969-95) 282 135 23 .667 Softball (1970-1986) 202 128 3 .611 Basketball (1969-75) 43 16 0 .729 Golf (1988-95) 17 13 0 .567 Totals 544 292 26 .646