Former Granby Star Elected to Connecticut Field Hockey Hall of Fame

Former Granby Memorial High School standout Pamela (Sproull) Hammersmith is one of seven women who will be inducted into the Connecticut Field Hockey Hall of Fame on Sept. 27.

She will be inducted in a ceremony at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington. Tickets are $50, and may be ordered by contacting Terri Ziemnicki at hockeycoachtaz@cox.net or (860) 653-5127.

Hammersmith was elected to the Hall of Fame as a high school player, honoring her great career under legendary coach Dot Johnson.

“Playing for Dot was amazing,” Hammersmith said of her high school coach. “She demanded perfection while we had fun. She was so positive and had a great sense of humor. I gained so much confidence in myself and was willing to take risks. She was the reason I became a teacher/coach; she was a positive role model.

After getting her big break as a freshman for the Bears – “one of the starters choked on chewing gum” - Hammersmith played defense for three years and midfield her senior year, when she was team captain. During her four years, Granby did not lose a game.

There was no state field hockey tournament until her senior year, and then it was only a single division, so Granby competed against large schools, but nevertheless won the tournament. There were also no all-state awards in field hockey at that time; however, in Hammersmith’s senior year, a Hartford businessman made a donation to honor a Farmington Valley All-Star Team. She made the team, and at the dinner was honored as most valuable player in the Farmington Valley.

“The highlight of my playing career was being undefeated for four years and playing in the first state championship and winning it,” Hammersmith said.

“Pam was an outstanding field hockey player - the kind every coach wants on her team,” Johnson said. “Not only did she have great stickwork, speed, and game sense, but she also was a wonderful role model for her teammates. She never missed practice, worked hard all the time, and was always willing to help other players. Pam always put team first. These qualities helped make her a very successful coach. Plus she laughed at my jokes! I am so proud of and happy for Pam!”

Hammersmith played field hockey at Springfield College for one year. To augment her employment possibilities, she started working as a referee, learning much about the game by observing the better coaches and teams.

After college, she was hired by Simsbury as a physical education teacher, and accepted a high school field hockey coaching position there. She coached in Simsbury for 21 years, and her team made the state tournament every year. She won 18 league championships, made the state finals eight times and won four titles. During her last year coaching in Simsbury, she won her 300th game.

Hammersmith also started the girls lacrosse program. She won 14 league championships, was the New England president for high school girls coaches and then the U.S. president for three years.

She has twice been named Coach of the Year by the field hockey association and named Coach of the Year by the CIAC. In lacrosse, she was named coach of the year by the girl’s lacrosse association and also by the CIAC. She was inducted into the Connecticut Lacrosse Hall of Fame as a coach in 2013.

Hammersmith is currently in her 34th year teaching in Simsbury. After retiring from coaching in 2009, her love of the game made her return to the sidelines, as she accepted the position of head coach in Windsor in 2010. She is in her sixth season at the helm of the Warriors.

Photo credit: GaryHammersmith