To say that Vonnie Gros’ playing and coaching career was exceptional would be an understatement. “Legendary” might be more apropos, but even that seems to fail to do it justice. Few superlatives or awards could explain the impact that the former West Chester University field hockey coach has had on the sport to which she devoted much of her life, but an induction into the Chester County Sports Hall of Fame is certainly a start.
Gros was an All-American in both field hockey and lacrosse as a student-athlete at Ursinus, and took her talents to the United States Field Hockey team for 13 years following her illustrious college career.
She later earned a teaching and coaching position at West Chester State College in 1964, and became the head coach of the Golden Rams’ field hockey team that year. Over her 12-year career as head coach, the Rams posted a sparkling record of 100-7-16. From 1972 to 1976, her teams lost a grand total of one game, and she led the Rams to two AIAW national titles during her time there. Not surprisingly, West Chester University’s all-weather field hockey field is now named in her honor.
“It took more than me to get to where we got, but my thing was we play hard and we play to win,” Gros said of her coaching philosophy. “In this age, that’s a given. I also wanted these players to accept some challenges that would be very new to them and give them some opportunities to pursue hockey at the highest level – internationally.”
As if her career as head coach of the Rams weren’t enough, Gros was named the head coach of the first United States Olympic Field Hockey team, although with the rest of the country it boycotted the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. She remained the coach for the next edition of the national team, leading the Americans to a bronze medal at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles, an experience she says was indescribable.
“It was quite a thrill,” she said. “One of the greatest feelings in the world was walking out of the tunnel into the (Los Angeles Memorial) Coliseum. I don’t know how you put that into words. It was special and it was spectacular.”
Gros is a well-deserving member of the United States Field Hockey Hall of Fame, as well as the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame. She says being inducted into the Chester County Hall of Fame is just as exciting.
“I hate to put them (her awards) in any type of order, but it’s right up there very close to my induction into the National Field Hockey Hall of Fame because my career started here in West Chester,” she said.
Her induction this year will represent a hometown award for a homegrown legend, a fitting cherry on top of a sparkling career for one of Chester County’s most respected sports figures.
