When Alice Puckett told me she was retiring as Fallston’s field hockey coach after 26 years, she said, “It’s no big deal.”

Well, it is a big deal. And not just because Puckett was one of the most successful field hockey coaches ever in Maryland. She was also one of the nicest coaches I’ve ever had the privilege of working with.

Gracious in victory and defeat – and despite all the successes, there were some bitter disappointments – Puckett always talked to the press after those disappointing games even when I’m sure she didn’t really want to. She always returned phone calls and graciously put up with many questions, especially in preseason and postseason.

She seemed to struggle at times to balance being a mom and a coach when it came to talking about her daughter Lindsey, a senior this year and The Baltimore Sun’s All-Metro Player of the Year. She didn’t want to single Lindsey out too much, but Lindsey’s game spoke for itself and earned her a scholarship to play for Maryland, which just won the NCAA championship.

Now after 11 state championships, 340 wins and many Coach of the Year honors, Puckett will spend her next fall season watching Lindsey play for the Terps. Perhaps that says more than anything – family first.

She may not realize it, but Puckett will be missed by everyone in the local field hockey community.
-- Katherine Dunn