Jan. 11, 2008
From Holy Cross Athletic Communications
Worcester, Mass. - Holy Cross athletic director Richard M. Regan, Jr. has announced that head field hockey coach Meg Galligan has retired after 23 years with the program. Galligan, who came to Holy Cross in 1985, served as the head coach of the field hockey team for 23 seasons and women's lacrosse team for 10 seasons.
Galligan, the winningest coach in the history of Holy Cross field hockey, posted an overall career record of 206-223-10 and a 58-35 mark in the Patriot League.
"Meg has had a tremendous impact on Holy Cross athletics for the last 23 seasons, she will be greatly missed," said Regan.
Named Patriot League Coach of the Year in 1997 and 2000, Galligan guided Holy Cross to seven appearances in the Patriot League Championship game in the past 11 years, while capturing three Patriot League Tournament Championships and two Patriot League regular season titles. In addition, Galligan's teams have been ranked nationally in winning percentage and margin of victory in four of the last eight seasons, and an impressive five of the last eight years for team defense.
"I'm very proud of where this program started and where it has come," said Galligan. "I've certainly seen an enormous change and growth in the program. It's been wonderful to see and be part of it. The most rewarding thing to me is I've always instilled life lessons and values into the program, and I've always received so much positive feedback from alumni, it warms my heart."
In 2001 and 2002, Galligan led the Crusaders to consecutive Patriot League regular season titles. In 2000, her team captured the program's first regular season title with a perfect 6-0 record and third tournament title in four years. During the 1997, 1998 and 2000 seasons, her teams advanced to NCAA Play-In games. In 1998, Galligan led her squad to its second-consecutive Patriot League Tournament title, while posting the most wins (16 wins) in school history.
Galligan also served as head coach of the Holy Cross women's lacrosse team for 10 years (1986-95). She was honored as the 1992 Patriot League Lacrosse Coach of the Year after guiding the Crusaders to an 8-5 record, the program's most successful finish in over a decade. Following the completion of the 1995 lacrosse season, she gave up the reins to devote her full attention to the field hockey program.
A 1978 graduate of Boston College, Galligan enjoyed a highly successful collegiate career on the field hockey team.
