CASTLETON, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton Athletic Department has announced that Emily Douglas '18 will step away from her duties as Head Coach of the Spartan field hockey program following five impactful seasons at the helm.

Douglas leaves behind a legacy of success, player development, and a strong upward trajectory for the program. Across her five-year tenure, she compiled a 56-43 record, captured a Little East Regular Season title, and delivered the program's first Little East Conference Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance since 2013. Her teams reached four conference championship games and consistently produced all-conference, all-region, and national award recipients.

"This program, this team, and this institution mean so much to me," Douglas said. "I'm grateful for the experiences Castleton has given me and for the privilege of leading this program as an alum. The student-athletes I've coached have inspired me every day, and I'm thankful for every athlete, colleague, and moment that made this journey so special."

This fall, Douglas guided the Spartans to an 8-11 overall record and a 3-3 conference mark, securing their third-straight appearance in the Little East semifinals. Jess Smithson earned her second-consecutive Little East Defensive Player of the Year honor and a First Team All-LEC selection, joined on the First Team by Madison Gile. Gwyn Vincent collected Second Team recognition.

Throughout her time with the Spartans, Douglas has coached a two-time NFHCA All-American, three All-Region honorees, four conference major award winners, and over a dozen All-LEC selections. Her leadership has played a central role in elevating individual performance across all classes and positions within the program.

Before returning to Castleton, Douglas spent two seasons as an assistant coach at the University of New Haven, helping establish the young program while mentoring several all-conference and all-rookie performers.

As a student-athlete at Castleton, Douglas was a three-year contributor who capped her career with a standout senior season, earning NAC Player of the Year, All-NAC honors, Longstreth All-East recognition, and Castleton's Field Hockey MVP award. She earned her B.S. in Sport Administration from Castleton in 2018 and completed her MBA at the University of New Haven in 2020.

The Castleton Athletic Department extends its sincere gratitude and appreciation for Douglas' dedication to the Spartan field hockey program and wishes her continued success in her next chapter. A national search for Castleton's next head coach will begin immediately.