Cota recognized for contributions in the U.S. and abroad
Current Ohio State field hockey coach and Transformative Coaching and Leadership student Patrick Cota has been named to the 2024 USA Field Hockey (USAFH) Hall of Fame inductee class, the organization announced earlier this month.
Cota, who earned his undergraduate history degree from UCLA before returning to Westwood in 2021 to enter the TCL program, has coached several NCAA programs over the years. In addition to his current role at Ohio State, he’s served as an assistant at the University of Michigan and as recruiting coordinator at Stanford University.
A 14-year Men’s National Team member, Cota represented the United States in 119 international matches and was named to the Pan American Federation Elite Team in 2009. He competed in four Pan American Games (1999, 2003, 2007, 2011), three Pan American Cups (2000, 2004, 2009), and the 2011 FIH Champions Challenge. He also played in five Indoor Pan American Cups (2002, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2010) and two Indoor World Cups (2003, 2011).
His participation in the sport rose from the legacy of the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games when his soccer coach, former U.S. National Team member Chuck Valencia, provided an introduction. Community programs kickstarted his career, including one offered at his elementary school. The Southern California native was hooked from the jump, earning his way onto several senior-level squads starting in 1999 through a career that spanned until 2012.
In 2004, Cota began his college coaching career. Since, he’s impacted the lives of hundreds of athletes around the country and abroad.
“Honored and humbled by this recognition,” Cota posted to social media. “But nothing is done in isolation.
“This is also a reflection of the support network of family, friends and coworkers who allowed me the freedom and support to pursue my dreams.”
“Teammates challenged me daily to compete, excel and be better,” he added. “Coaches guided and held me accountable to standards of excellence while pushing me to strive beyond my limitations.”
During his time on the U-21 National Team, Patrick started to give back to field hockey through coaching similar programs for boys and girls that he once played with as he started his field hockey career. During his time at Stanford, alongside fellow Hall of Famer Steve Danielson, he created the NorCal Sharks. This team started as a high-performance boys training group but grew to training both boys and girls, helping grow field hockey in the northern California area.
Cota currently holds a USA Field Hockey and FIH Level 3 coaching certificate and continues to inspire the next generation of U.S. Men’s National Team players. While also on the USMNT, he coached both men’s and women’s teams through the years. He is currently the head coach for USAFH’s U-18 men and an assistant for the U-21 squad.
He has served two terms on the USAFH Board of Directors as an Athlete Representative and two terms on the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) on the Athlete Advisory Council. He also continues to serve as a director for the USA Men’s Field Hockey Foundation, where the aim is to grow playing opportunities for all and continue to promote boys field hockey in the U.S.
“Pat’s accomplishments are legendary in USA field hockey,” said Simon Hoskins, USA Field Hockey’s Executive Director. “They run deep – a 14-year playing career with the U.S. Men’s National Team and one of the first male athletes to receive 100 international caps in our history.
“He continues to give back to the sport,” Hoskins added, “coaching at every level through club, college and junior national team. He embodies all that is great about our sport and this induction is much deserved.”
Cota and the 2024 inductee class will be honored on Friday, May 24, 2024, at the 2024 Hall of Fame Celebration, hosted by the U.S. Field Hockey Foundation, at The Hyatt Regency Westlake in Westlake Village, Calif. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.
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