Amy Stevens

After four years playing field hockey at Lock Haven University, Amy Stevens transferred to Russell Sage College as a graduate for the 2023 season. Though playing for the Gators only for one year, everyone in and out of the program can agree that Stevens made an outsized impact on the Russell Sage field hockey team.

On the field, Stevens earned second-team All-American honors from the NFHCA, becoming the first All-American in program history. Stevens, a first-team NFCHA All-Region selection, was also voted the Empire 8 Conference Player of the Year after leading the conference with 49 points and 20 goals, both of which are school single-season records.

“Quite honestly, Amy had the single greatest season any athlete has had in the history of Russell Sage Athletics, bar none,” said Russell Sage athletic director James Lyons.

Stevens credits the spectacular season to both hard work and the support she received from her team.

“I felt confident with the years of experience under my belt,” she said. “But I was surrounded by a team of hard-working, friendly girls. They treated me with warmth and enthusiasm that motivated me to work even harder.”

Amy brought a “know how to” approach to our team, which quickly rubbed off on the entire team’s daily habits,” Russell Sage head coach Nick Pontari said. “Amy would be the first one to practice not only putting extra shots on cage but bringing others along with her; working on dribbling, passing, and shooting with her teammate on the side before practice even began.”

Although she was technically a newcomer in the program, Stevens was seen as a leader on the team almost instantly since she was so experienced. Her experience was valued by her teammates and coaches so much that Stevens stayed around the program as a volunteer coach in the spring of 2024.

“As a transfer in, she was the first person here helping welcome the new students on move-in day,” Pontari said. “For six hours, she helped first-year students carry their belongings into their residence hall buildings and made sure they had a friendly welcome upon arriving to campus.”

“Amy’s work ethic is one of the greatest I have ever seen,” Lyons said. “That work ethic allowed her instant credibility with her coaches and teammates as she got to know everyone early in the year.”

During all her success on the field hockey pitch, Stevens was in school pursuing her doctorate in physical therapy. It wouldn’t be easy, but Stevens said she got support from both her coach and teammates.

“At first, it was incredibly daunting,” she said. “My coach reached out and really put me at ease, especially after talking with multiple girls on the team who were also in the same program.”

“Amy has maintained ‘A’ student status during her time in Albany,” Lyons added. “She was a tremendous role model for her teammates when it came to juggling her academic endeavors with her pursuit of greatness on the field.”

Stevens’ love of field hockey began in fifth grade. She was a soccer player at the time but said field hockey was very popular in her area and a lot of her friends played. While attending Whitney Point High School, Stevens earned All-State honors and helped the program win five-straight field hockey titles. But high school was formative for Stevens in more than just field hockey. During her sophomore year, she tore her ACL while playing lacrosse. During the six months of physical therapy, Stevens realized her passion for the field of physical therapy.

“I immediately knew that’s what I wanted to do,” she said. “I know that it’s everything for athletes to get back to their sport and I have so much enthusiasm to help them.”

That enthusiasm was highly valued on the field hockey pitch and, according to her head coach, will be valuable wherever she goes in the future.

“There is no doubt in my mind that Amy will continue to and go on to do amazing things as a person in her time here at Russell Sage and beyond,” said Pontari.

“I am beyond the words of being thankful and honored to receive this award,” Stevens said. “When reflecting on the incredible accolades of each of the present and past honorees, it has truly been put into perspective how blessed I am to have been named among these decorated and accomplished women.”