Alyssa Parker Named James Madison Field Hockey Head Coach

Parker brings championship-level experience to lead the Dukes' program forward

Apr. 15, 2026 at 6:09pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a field hockey game broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of navy, green, and red, conveying the dynamic energy and strategic complexity of the sport.The new James Madison field hockey coach brings a fresh, innovative approach to elevate the program to new heights.Harrisonburg Today

Alyssa Parker has been selected as the next head coach of the James Madison field hockey program, as announced by Director of Athletics Matt Roan. Parker comes to Harrisonburg after spending the last five seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Virginia, where she helped the Cavaliers reach the NCAA Tournament every year and the semifinals in 2023.

Why it matters

Parker's hiring represents an exciting new chapter for the James Madison field hockey program, as she brings a wealth of championship-level experience both as a player and coach. Her strong recruiting pedigree and proven ability to develop student-athletes will be crucial in continuing the program's success and elevating it to new heights.

The details

During her time at Virginia, Parker helped the Cavaliers produce a 69-32 record over the last five seasons, reach the ACC Championship three times, and make the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals twice. As a recruiter, she brought in the No. 1 signing class in 2025, including six top 50 recruits and two top 10 prospects. Prior to UVA, Parker spent a season as an assistant at Saint Joseph's and has international experience as a member of the U.S. Women's National Team, competing in the FIH Pro League and winning a bronze medal at the 2019 Pan American Games.

  • On April 15, 2026, James Madison University announced the hiring of Alyssa Parker as the new head coach of the field hockey program.
  • Parker spent the last five seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Virginia from 2021-2025.

The players

Alyssa Parker

The new head coach of the James Madison field hockey program, bringing championship-level experience as both a player and coach.

Matt Roan

The Director of Athletics at James Madison University who announced the hiring of Alyssa Parker as the new head coach.

Christy Morgan

The previous long-time head coach of the James Madison field hockey program, whose successful tenure Parker will look to build upon.

Stephen LaPorta

The Associate Athletic Director and Sport Administrator at James Madison University who led the search process that resulted in the hiring of Alyssa Parker.

Jim Schmidt

The President of James Madison University.

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What they’re saying

“We worked deliberately and diligently in this national search to ensure that we identified the right fit to lead our program forward and to build on the long and successful tenure of Coach Christy Morgan. I am confident we have done just that, and I am thrilled to welcome Alyssa to this special JMU community.”

— Matt Roan, Director of Athletics, James Madison University

“I am deeply honored to become the Head Field Hockey Coach at James Madison University. This program is filled with remarkable individuals, and I'm excited to support their development as people, students, and athletes. What makes JMU so special is the combination of academic excellence, athletic ambition, and a community that leads with kindness.”

— Alyssa Parker, New Head Coach, James Madison Field Hockey

What’s next

Parker will begin her tenure as the new head coach of the James Madison field hockey program immediately, with the goal of continuing the program's success and leading the Dukes to new heights.

The takeaway

The hiring of Alyssa Parker as the new head coach of the James Madison field hockey program represents an exciting new era for the Dukes. Her championship-level experience, strong recruiting pedigree, and proven ability to develop student-athletes make her an ideal fit to build upon the program's rich history and take it to new levels of success.