Growing Men's and Boys' Field Hockey in the US: US Men's Foundation 2026 Mid-Year Recap

The first six months of 2026 have been some of the most active in the US Men's Foundation's history. From international tournaments to a new Hall of Fame class, here's a look back at what your support has made possible — and a preview of what's still ahead.

Supporting Our Indoor Teams on the World Stage

In early January, the Foundation sponsored the US Men's Indoor team's trip to Austria to compete in the Rohrmax Cup. Paired with our support of the Nkosi Cup in South Africa this past December, these tournaments give our indoor squad the high-level competition it needs to prepare for Panam Indoors and World Cup play.

Investing in the Next Generation

Player development doesn't stop with the national team — it starts long before it. This spring, the Foundation covered costs for all Under-18 boys indoor teams competing at the National Indoor Tournament in Richmond, Virginia. We capped off the weekend with a pizza party for players, parents, and coaches, a chance to connect the community with the Foundation's mission of supporting male players at every stage, from beginners to the US Men's National Team.

We also pledged to match any funds raised for the Junior Men's team's trip to the Jr. Pan Ams. Fundraising kicked off at NITs and wrapped up after Calcup, ultimately delivering more than $720 in support for each participating player.

Lowering the Barrier to Entry at Cal Cup

Growing the boys' game means making it easier for new and developing teams to say yes to competing — and Calcup was a clear example of that in action this year. Organizers came to the Foundation looking to boost boys' team participation, and we responded by covering $500 of the registration fee for every boys team entered, $6,500 in total across the tournament.

That support helped bring newly forming boys programs to the table alongside more established clubs, including the SoCal Strikers, DC Dragons, and San Francisco Hawks Field Hockey Club competing alongside veteran programs like San Jose Khalsa and Ventura County Red Devils. For teams still building their rosters and their fundraising base, a $500 reduction in registration costs can be the difference between fielding a team and sitting the tournament out. Investments like this one are exactly the kind of support the Foundation wants to keep expanding — more boys teams on the field now means a deeper pipeline for junior and national programs down the road.

A First for Para Hockey

For the first time, the Foundation sponsored Para Hockey, helping send the US Para Hockey team to the World Cup in Europe. Special thanks go to the Conejo Bulldogs' Shawn Hindy, Jason Garrett, and staff, who have welcomed these athletes into their regular training sessions.

Honoring 100 Caps: The Centurions Club

This year we launched the Centurions Club, celebrating every player who has earned 100 or more caps for the national team. Ten members of this inaugural class were honored at a dinner held at the Katz family home ahead of Calcup, each receiving an engraved Cross pen marking their name and cap count. Active players will have their final tally added upon retirement from the national team — and every player not yet able to attend a dinner will be recognized in the years ahead.

Welcoming Two Hall of Fame Inductees

The US Men's Foundation Hall of Fame welcomed two new members this year:

Benjamin John Maruquin, co-captain of the 1996 Atlanta Olympic team with over 200 caps for the United States. After playing in Australia for five years and developing his early coaching career there, Ben returned to the US and founded the Ventura County Red Devils — the first men's high-performance club team, which has produced over 75% of US-born national team players since 2004.

Alva Serrette, Field Hockey Manager for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and a true jack-of-all-trades for the sport. A US national team player in the late 1970s and early '80s, Alva founded the Islanders Field Hockey Club. He has served on both the US Men's Foundation board and the Pan Am Field Hockey board, and continues to play as a US Masters athlete — proof that, like a fine wine, he only gets better with time.

Congratulations to both inductees on this well-earned recognition.

Looking Ahead: The Next Five Months

With the second half of 2026 underway, the Foundation is evaluating several grant priorities:

1. Grow the Game grants for new and developing youth clubs

2. US National Team support for additional high-level international competition

3. Continued support for the Men's Indoor team's return to the Nkosi Cup in South Africa this December

4. Support for US Junior teams, both U21 and U18, competing in November and December 2026

All of this — plus our continued push toward LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032 — will take fundraising help. A new online fundraising campaign is coming soon, and every donation to the Men's Foundation is tax-deductible, with the option to direct and match your gift toward the specific area you care about most.

Thank You

To everyone who has contributed this year: thank you, from the bottom of our heart. None of this — the tournaments, the grants, the honorees, the players who get their shot — happens without your generosity and support.

More updates soon.

— US Men's Foundation