2022 Hall of Fame Inductee: Rachel Dawson

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Throughout the month of March, USA Field Hockey will be celebrating and honoring the 2022 Hall of Fame Inductees prior to the 100th Anniversary and Hall of Fame Celebration, hosted by the U.S. Field Hockey Foundation.

A three-time Olympian, Rachel Dawson is one of the most accomplished athletes in the history of the U.S. Women’s National Team. From her childhood home in Berlin, N.J., Rachel shared her competitive spirit, natural athleticism and a tiny bathroom with her siblings. Three of her sisters, Natalie, Sarah and Meghan, also played for the U.S. National Team. For Rachel, being part of a big team was second nature. The versatile defender, midfielder joined the senior team in 2005 and was a member of Team USA for the Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games. She retired from the U.S. Women’s National Team shortly after competing in her last Olympic Games having played in 298 international caps. She is currently the head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Development Team, as well as the Director of Club Development with Freedom HKY.

Rachel was named to the U.S. U-21 Women’s National Team in 2001. She was named to the U.S. Women’s National Team in 2005 and earned her first cap that summer against Australia in Virginia Beach, Va. While simultaneously playing for the senior team that year, Rachel competed in the Junior Pan American Championship (2nd, San Juan, Puerto Rico), where she was named Most Outstanding Player, and later that year she competed in the Junior World Cup Team (7th, Santiago, Chile). In 2006, Rachel was nominated for the 2006 WorldHockey Women's Young Player of the Year Award as one of the top six players under the age of 23.

Along with Team USA’s incredible success during her storied career, Rachel earned several individual accolades as well.  She was named the 2008 Olympic Qualifier Player of the Tournament, where the U.S. Women’s National Team qualified for the Olympic Games for the first time in 20 years. In subsequent years, she was named to the Pan American Elite Team in 2009 and again in 2011, when Team USA earned a gold medal at the Pan American Games for the first-time in history, directly qualifying for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

“As a three-time Olympian, Rachel is established at the pinnacle of USA Field Hockey,” said Simon Hoskins, USA Field Hockey’s Executive Director. “She continues to be an inspiration to young players coming into the sport and is such a wonderful role model.”

Rachel is truly worthy of induction in the USA Field Hockey Hall of Fame. Join us as we celebrate and honor all of the 2022 Hall of Fame Inductees, Honorary Members and Award Winners on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at the 100th Anniversary and Hall of Fame Celebration, hosted by the U.S. Field Hockey Foundation, at The Union League of Philadelphia. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.

Olympic Experience:

• Rio 2016 Olympic Games (5th, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
• London 2012 Olympic Games (12th, London, England)
• Beijing 2008 Olympic Games (8th, Beijing, China)

World Championship Experience:

• 2015 Pan American Games – (Gold, Toronto, Canada)
• 2014 Champions Challenge – (Gold, Glasgow, Scotland)
• 2013 World League Round 2 – (Gold, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
• 2011 Pan American Games – (Gold, Guadalajara, Mexico)
• 2008 Olympic Qualifier Tournament (Gold, Kazan, Russia)
• 2012 Champions Challenge I (Silver, Dublin, Ireland)
• 2010 AtaHolding World Cup Qualifier Team (Silver, Chula Vista, Calif.)
• 2009 Pan American Cup (Silver, Hamilton, Bermuda)
• 2007 Pan American Games (Silver, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
• 2016 Champions Trophy (Bronze, London, England)
• 2014 Rabobank Hockey World Cup (4th, The Hague, Netherlands)
• 2007 Champions Challenge (4th, Baku, Azerbaijan)
• 2006 World Cup Qualifying Tournament (4th, Rome, Italy)
• 2015 World League Round 3 (5th, Valencia, Spain)
• 2013 World League Round 3 (5th, London, England)
• 2006 World Cup (6th, Madrid, Spain)