UVic Sports Hall of Fame
CATEGORY: Athlete
Having played on the Canadian national women’s field hockey team from 1982 to 1989, during which she attended two Olympic games, two World Cups and a Pan American Games, Nancy Mollenhauer can be best characterized by her incredible athleticism and unwavering love of the game.
Additionally, Mollenhauer had a successful varsity career with the University of Victoria Vikettes from 1980 to 1985, captaining the team in her final year to its first CIAU title and winning CIAU Athlete of the Year twice (1983-84, 1984-85) and All-Canadian twice (1983-84, 1984-85) along the way.
Mollenhauer was both a leader and a pioneer as she put her heart and soul into women’s sport at the highest level.
“She thrived in a culture of hard work as she was able to do anything that she set her mind to,” said teammate, fellow Olympian and coach Lynne Beecroft. “Nancy was somebody that you enjoyed playing with, she was the type of player that if you made a mistake she’d have your back.”
Mollenhauer was incredibly versatile, making the transition from striker, to sweeper, and then finally finishing her career playing in the midfield. Her on-field intelligence, in combination with her impressive technical skills, enabled her to continue to grow and play an increasingly larger role within the national team program. Her wit and charisma never failed to gain her the respect of her teammates where she was a co-captain for many years.
There was never a time that Mollenhauer did not give her team everything that she had, and then more. The depth of her commitment and impact on the national team program was exemplified when she was asked to be the flag bearer at the 1987 Pan American games. In 1989 Mollenhauer was named Victoria’s Athlete of the Year and just over a decade later was inducted into UVic’s Sports Hall of Fame as an individual in 2003 and as a member of the 1984-85 women’s field hockey team in 2004.
Mollenhauer was an integral part of what is known as Canadian women’s field hockey’s greatest dynasty. A team, which throughout the 1980s, qualified for every single world-class event and medalling in many as they brought home silver hardware from the 1983 World Cup and bronze from the 1986 World Cup.
With her trademark humour and upbeat attitude, Mollenhauer was, and continues to be, a role model for women in sport. The Victoria-native has done it all, competed at two Olympic games and two World Cups and won a CIAU national title - all while managing to finish a bachelor’s degree. Although a naturally gifted athlete, Mollenhauer’s success can very much be credited to her phenomenal work ethic that has had a ripple effect on all those around her.
Mollenhauer left behind a legacy of excellence playing for both her university as well as her country and upon retirement, Mollenhauer sought employment as a physical education teacher at St. Michael’s University School in her hometown of Victoria, B.C.
Mollenhauer had spent the better part of her young adult life playing for her country and now the better part of her working life teaching and coaching the same sport, and the same values, that she lived by as an athlete. Every year Mollenhauer is the driving force behind the field hockey program at St. Micheal’s and a key member of Victoria’s field hockey community as both a coach and an organizer at every level of the game.
In July 2015, Mollenhauer joined an elite group of Canadian field hockey players and builder and was inducted into the Field Hockey Canada Hall of Fame as part of their inaugural class.
UVic Achievements
- Competed for the Vikettes from 1980-85
- Captained the Vikettes to their first CIAU national championship in 1984
- 1983 and 1984 CIAU All-Star
- 1983 and 1984 UVic Athlete of the Year
International Achievements
- Played for Canada fro 1982-89
- Competed at the 1984 and 1988 Summer Olympic Games
- Competed at the 1986 FIH World Cup
- Flag bearer at the 1987 Pan Am Games where Canada won bronze
- 1989 named Victoria’s Athlete of the Year
