Sharon Pfluger is a legendary figure in collegiate athletics, serving as the head coach of both the field hockey and women’s lacrosse programs at The College of New Jersey in Ewing, New Jersey. A 1982 graduate of Trenton State College (now TCNJ) with a BS in Health and Physical Education, Pfluger returned to her alma mater early in her career and has since established one of the most successful coaching legacies in NCAA history. Entering her 40th season in field hockey and 39th in lacrosse in the fall of 2025, she has amassed an extraordinary combined coaching record that places her among the all-time leaders in victories in both sports. Her teams have captured a total of 19 national championships—nine in field hockey and ten in lacrosse—across decades of sustained excellence. Under her guidance, the programs have also achieved remarkable NCAA Tournament consistency, conference titles, and individual player honors. Pfluger’s influence extends beyond win-loss records; she is one of only two female coaches (alongside Pat Summitt) featured in the NCAA Hall of Champions’ Legends of the Game display, and she made history in 2022 as the first coach to reach 1,200 career victories while coaching two different sports.
Off the field, Pfluger has contributed to the broader coaching community, authoring a chapter in the book She Can Coach: Tools for Success from 20 Top Women Coaches, which focuses on team cohesion. Prior to her long tenure at TCNJ, she gained early coaching experience as an assistant at Drew University and as head field hockey coach at Kean College and Montclair State College. Known for her mentorship, leadership, and commitment to the holistic development of her student-athletes, Pfluger’s impact resonates throughout collegiate athletics and the countless players she has coached.
