Kent State Field Hockey - Kent State University

Kent State Field Hockey Camps

Coaching Staff

Assistant Coach Richard Sutton

Rich Sutton begins his second season as the top assistant on the Kent State coaching staff. From international competition to the Atlantic Coast Conference, Sutton brings an abundance of field hockey experience to KSU.

Now in his third year at an NCAA institution, Sutton served as an assistant coach at the University of Virginia during the 2005 season. The Cavaliers got off to an 8-5 start that year against some of the toughest competition in the country.

Prior to Virginia, Sutton was the associate head coach at the University of Birmingham (England) for four seasons. During his tenure at his alma mater, he guided the Birmingham ladies to two national semifinals and one national title game appearance. He also served as the head coach of the Midlands U21’s, leading them to a pair of National Tournament championships in three seasons.

“I am very excited about the new season ahead,” said Sutton. “I feel we have made great strides this past spring and expect Kent State Field Hockey to continue improving this fall.”

A 1998 graduate of Birmingham, Sutton was twice a national semifinalist as a player and in his final season was a player/coach of the second XI national championship team.

He continued his playing career in the Netherlands for two seasons before returning to play on Birmingham’s National League team as an alum for two years.

In 2006, Sutton was a member of the U.S. National Men’s Elite coaching staff during the Bloemendaal Series. Since then he has served as a head coach on the Futures circuit, coached at the Futures Development Invitational Clinic and High School Open and was selected to coach at the 2007 Junior Olympics.

“Rich brings a wealth of experience to KSU and I am ecstatic to have him as part of my staff,” Head Coach Kathleen Schanne said.

A Birmingham, England native, Sutton earned his bachelor’s degree in local government studies from the University of Birmingham.

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Assistant Coach Lawrence Amar

Lawrence Amar, team captain of the United State’s 1996 Olympic field hockey squad, enters his first season as an assistant coach on Head Coach Kathleen Schanne's staff.

“We’re excited to have Lawrence join our program. He has a wealth of knowledge about the game of field hockey to share with our student-athletes,” said Schanne. “His experiences with the national team and the U.S. Army will help in the development of our team on and off the field.”

Amar returns to the sport he excelled in after an eight-year absence. The 1994 and ‘95 United States Field Hockey Association (USFHA) Athlete of the Year and was a member of the program for 13 years. A native of California, Amar competed on several successful Junior World Cup and Pam Am teams. He won five Olympic Festival medals -- including two gold -- and was a member of the Canterbury Hockey Club of the English First Division in 1994.

Following his tenure with the USFHA, Amar was a member of the U.S. Army for six years, serving two tours overseas. He earned the rank of Staff Sergeant in the Infantry. Amar received two Army Commendation and Army Achievement Medals among his numerous honors and achievements.

“I’m grateful to Coach Schanne and the Kent State administration for the opportunity I have been given,” said Amar. “I’m looking forward to being part of the team. It’s great to be back on the field on a day-to-day basis.”

Courtesy: Kent State Athletic Communications