Jaclyn Kintzer Briggs, a towering figure in American field hockey, has been welcomed into the USA Field Hockey Hall of Fame, cementing her place among the sport’s most influential pioneers.
Her playing days at the University of North Carolina saw her earn two first‑team All‑American honors, capture a national championship, and collect prestigious awards such as the Carmen and Michael Hooker Leadership Award and the Laree Beans Practice Player of the Year.
International Triumphs
Representing the United States, Briggs amassed 184 caps, competing in four Olympic cycles, including a starting role in Rio 2016, and contributed to gold‑medal performances at the 2011 Pan American Games and the 2013 FIH Hockey World League Round 2.
Her excellence was recognized with the Best Goalkeeper award at the 2017 FIH Hockey World League Semifinals in South Africa and a nomination for the FIH Hockey Stars Awards Goalkeeper of the Year.
After hanging up her stick in 2017, Briggs turned to coaching, currently serving as associate head coach for Wake Forest’s field hockey program while also lending her expertise to U‑18 and U‑16 squads of the U.S. Women’s National Team.
A Lasting Impact
Beyond her personal accolades, Briggs’ leadership helped the Tar Heels secure additional national titles and ACC championships, and her volunteer work added depth to the program’s success, illustrating a commitment that extends from the collegiate level to the international stage.