Fahey returns to lead Big Red field hockey

The Exeter Athletics Department has announced the return of Samantha Fahey as head coach of the Big Red field hockey program as well as an instructor in the Academy’s Department of Physical Education.

“We are thrilled to be welcoming Samantha back to Exeter in our physical education department and to lead our field hockey program,” said Director of Physical Education and Athletics Jason Baseden. “Samantha has proven to be an impactful mentor and leader. Her knowledge and passion will undoubtedly have a positive influence our entire community and the total student experience.”  

Fahey served as Big Red’s head field hockey coach in 2013 before leaving Exeter to join the coaching staff at Columbia University. In addition to her time on the field at PEA, Fahey was also the director of the Seacoast United Field Hockey Club.

“I am thrilled to rejoin the Exeter community and the field hockey program as head coach,” said Fahey. “Having previously been a part of the Phillips Exeter tradition, I have longed to return and continue to build on the team’s foundation of excellence and commitment.”

Fahey has spent the last five years as the first assistant at Columbia, where she was heavily involved with on-field preparation and training and served as the program’s recruiting coordinator.

Fahey enjoyed a decorated playing career at the University of New Hampshire, where she was an America East first team all-conference selection in 2003 and was a National Field Hockey Coaches Association second team all-region honoree. That same season, she was named to the America East All-Tournament Team and America East Academic Honor Roll. She helped the Wildcats reach the America East Championship final and NCAA tournament in 2000 and the America East semifinals in 2002 and 2003.

After her playing career, Fahey had coaching stops at Michigan State University, UNH, Harvard University and also served as an assistant coach for the USA Field Hockey Junior High Performance Program before arriving in Exeter in 2013.

Fahey earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from UNH and later completed a master’s degree in Kinesiology and Sports Administration at Michigan State. Samantha and her husband, Tom, have two boys, Liam and Landon.