The Rutgers field hockey coaching staff is a tight-knit group that has spent the last three seasons working together as a unit. Head Coach Meredith Civico took over the program in 2012 and has helped steer the program to new heights over the past eight seasons. Maddy Sposito originally joined the staff in 2015, and was promoted to assistant coach in 2017 when Ajai Dhadwal and Joey Civico came on board to complete the staff. 

Over the past three seasons with these four coaches working together, the Scarlet Knights have won 32 games. This includes 12 wins over ranked teams, four top-10 victories, and is highlighted by the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1986, that coming in 2018. 

As first seen on the Rutgers Field Hockey Instagram page, each member of the Rutgers coaching staff took a moment to answer some personal questions and reveal a bit about their personality and connections to the game of field hockey. 

Hometown: Ocean City, N.J. 

College Attended: University of Maryland 

First Season at Rutgers: 2010 (as assistant coach)

Current/Past Position: Midfield

Favorite Men’s Player: Ajai Dhadwal 

Favorite Women’s Player: Luciana Aymar

Best Outdoor Team to Watch: Argentina or Australia

Best Indoor Team to Watch: Germany

Typical Post-Workout Meal: Usually salad, with grilled chicken and a ton of veggies, or a shake

Worst Driver out of the Coaches: I feel safe with all of them. I prefer to be a passenger! 

If you weren’t a coach what would you be: Professional surfer 

Starbucks Coffee Order: Venti Americano with steamed milk

Chocolate or Candy: Definitely Chocolate

Dream Travel Destination: Tahiti

Favorite 90s Band: So many good ones!! Brian Adams, Whitney, Brittney, Ace of Base, Nirvana, Spin Doctors, Fugees, JayZ, Dr. Dre, Third Eye Blind, Oasis, NSync, Spice Girls 

Hometown: Ridgefield, Conn.

College Attended: Fairfield

First Season at Rutgers: 2015

Current/Past Position: Striker / Goalkeeper

Favorite Player: Delfina Merino, Maria Granatto and Rachel Lynch

Best Outdoor Team to Watch: Argentina women, England women

Best Indoor Team to Watch: Germany men

Typical Post-Workout Meal: Protein Shake

Worst Driver out of the Coaches: Not sure who the worst driver is, but I’m the best!

If you weren’t a coach, what would you be: History Teacher

Starbucks Coffee Order: In my reusable cup, grande Americano with an extra shot of espresso! Or a nitro cold brew. 

Chocolate or Candy: Chocolate (Reese’s peanut butter cup)

Dream Travel Destination: New Zealand

Favorite 90s Song: Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana)

Hometown: Agoura Hills, Calif. 

College Attended: Johns Hopkins

First Season at Rutgers: 2017

Current/Past Position: Fullback / Halfback / Center Midfield.

Favorite Men’s Player: Arthur van Doren (current Belgium player)

Favorite Women’s Player: Luciana Aymar (Argentina – retired now)

Best Outdoor Team to Watch: Belgium men’s national team.

Best Indoor Team to Watch: Germany men’s national team. 

Typical Post-Workout Meal: Protein shake, banana and gummy bears

Worst Driver out of the Coaches: Me

If you weren’t a coach, what would you be: Student and Entrepreneur

Starbucks Coffee Order: Tall cold brew

Chocolate or Candy: Chocolate

Dream Travel Destination: Tahiti

Favorite 90s Song: Know Your Enemy (Rage Against the Machine)

Hometown: Sheffield, England

College Attended: University of Leeds

First Season at Rutgers: 2017

Current/Past Position: Back / midfield / forward. The older you get; the further back you go. Next season – goalkeeper. 

Favorite Men’s Player: Eddie Ockendon. He just broke the record for international caps and has an unbelievable engine. 

Favorite Women’s Player: Majo Granatto. She scores some great goals. 

Best Outdoor Team to Watch: Australia (men).

Best Indoor Team to Watch: Iran. So much skill and they compete with the best in the world. 

Typical Post-Workout Meal: Leftovers stolen from the plate of my kids. I hate food waste. 

Worst Driver out of the Coaches: 10 years ago I would have said Maddy. But now she is actually really good. Top driver. We are all exceptional drivers. 

If you weren’t a coach, what would you be: Writer. That’s what I did in the real world before I came to the USA. 

Starbucks Coffee Order: Medium (always say medium) Americano with a little steamed milk. Don’t you dare put any sugar in there. 

Chocolate or Candy: Chocolate. European chocolate. 

Dream Travel Destination: Himalayas

Favorite 90s Song: Anything from the Pulp or The Longpigs. Two of Sheffield’s finest bands.