Boston University Names Sarah Shute '08 Head Field Hockey Coach
February 1, 2026 | Field Hockey
BOSTON – Sarah Shute '08, who starred for the Boston University field hockey team and was on the coaching staff for the Terriers' first four Patriot League titles, will become the fourth head coach in program history, as announced on Sunday by director of athletics Drew Marrochello.
The head field hockey coach at MIT for the past six years, Shute led the Engineers to at least 12 wins each season while reaching four NEWMAC title games and finishing in the national rankings four straight years, including 2022 when she led the program to its first-ever NCAA at-large bid.
"All of us at Boston University are proud and excited to welcome back Sarah as the head coach of our field hockey program," said Marrochello. "We were fortunate when she chose to be a Terrier over 20 years ago, and it is quite special to have her make a second return. Her ability to connect with student-athletes and guide them to the same type of success she had at BU is remarkable, and we are thrilled to have her take the BUFHA torch and continue the program's prominence."
Shute will succeed her former coach, Sally Starr, who retired in December after a legendary 45-season tenure. Shute was on Starr's staff for 10 seasons (2010-2019) and was promoted to associate head coach in 2014. In her first five seasons in that role, the Terriers won four Patriot League tournament titles (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018) and four straight Patriot League regular-season titles (2015-2018).
The Terriers reached the NCAA tournament in half of the previous 14 seasons that Shute was a player or coach.
"Returning to Boston University as the head field hockey coach is a profound honor and a true homecoming," said Shute. "This program and this university shaped me into the person I am today, and I am deeply grateful to Drew Marrochello for the opportunity to lead the Terriers into this next era. I am beyond thrilled to be back in the place that feels like home.
"I would also like to thank MIT athletic director Dr. Anthony Grant for giving me the opportunity to begin my career as a head coach. I am extremely thankful for an incredible six years with the MIT field hockey family."
The Engineers accumulated numerous accolades at the conference, regional and national levels with Shute at the helm, combining for six NFHCA All-America honors, 15 NFHCA All-Region picks and 22 NEWMAC All-Conference Team selections. Three of Shute's players received NEWMAC Rookie of the Year recognition while two were named NEWMAC Athlete of the Year.
MIT had the highest team GPA of all Division III field hockey programs in four of Shute's years there. Remarkably, 98 NEWMAC Academic All-Conference Team selections were under Shute's tutelage and two players received CSC Academic All-America honors.
BU produced seven All-Americans during Shute's 10 year-tenure as an assistant in addition to 31 All-PL honorees and 10 major PL awards. Shute was honored with Starr, Tracey Paul and Niklas Wellen as the 2017 NFHCA Northeast Region Coaching Staff of the Year.
As a student-athlete, Shute was one of the most prolific scorers in BU history, ranking third all-time in goals (45), and she remains one of only four Terriers to surpass the 100-point mark. The 2005 America East Offensive Player of the Year helped BU win conference titles in each of her final three seasons and earned first-team recognition at the conference and regional levels all three years.
No player in program history played in more games than Shute with 87 as the final contest of her career was in the 2007 NCAA quarterfinal round after the Terriers had set the school record for wins at 18 with an overtime first-round victory against Big Ten champion Iowa.
"I am eager to honor the incredible legacy Sally Starr built for BUFHA by leading with integrity and sustaining competitive excellence," added Shute. "I cannot wait to get to work with our student-athletes and the entire BU community. This is truly a dream come true – once a Terrier, always a Terrier!"
Shute, who also served as a physical education and wellness instructor at MIT, earned her undergraduate degree from BU's School of Hospitality Administration in 2008 and finished a master's degree in 2017 from the Wheelock School of Education with a concentration in physical education and coaching.
Shute and her wife, Courtney, who is the head women's lacrosse coach at Tufts, reside in Waltham with their son, Bodhi, and daughter, Sawyer.
The head field hockey coach at MIT for the past six years, Shute led the Engineers to at least 12 wins each season while reaching four NEWMAC title games and finishing in the national rankings four straight years, including 2022 when she led the program to its first-ever NCAA at-large bid.
"All of us at Boston University are proud and excited to welcome back Sarah as the head coach of our field hockey program," said Marrochello. "We were fortunate when she chose to be a Terrier over 20 years ago, and it is quite special to have her make a second return. Her ability to connect with student-athletes and guide them to the same type of success she had at BU is remarkable, and we are thrilled to have her take the BUFHA torch and continue the program's prominence."
Shute will succeed her former coach, Sally Starr, who retired in December after a legendary 45-season tenure. Shute was on Starr's staff for 10 seasons (2010-2019) and was promoted to associate head coach in 2014. In her first five seasons in that role, the Terriers won four Patriot League tournament titles (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018) and four straight Patriot League regular-season titles (2015-2018).
The Terriers reached the NCAA tournament in half of the previous 14 seasons that Shute was a player or coach.
"Returning to Boston University as the head field hockey coach is a profound honor and a true homecoming," said Shute. "This program and this university shaped me into the person I am today, and I am deeply grateful to Drew Marrochello for the opportunity to lead the Terriers into this next era. I am beyond thrilled to be back in the place that feels like home.
"I would also like to thank MIT athletic director Dr. Anthony Grant for giving me the opportunity to begin my career as a head coach. I am extremely thankful for an incredible six years with the MIT field hockey family."
The Engineers accumulated numerous accolades at the conference, regional and national levels with Shute at the helm, combining for six NFHCA All-America honors, 15 NFHCA All-Region picks and 22 NEWMAC All-Conference Team selections. Three of Shute's players received NEWMAC Rookie of the Year recognition while two were named NEWMAC Athlete of the Year.
MIT had the highest team GPA of all Division III field hockey programs in four of Shute's years there. Remarkably, 98 NEWMAC Academic All-Conference Team selections were under Shute's tutelage and two players received CSC Academic All-America honors.
BU produced seven All-Americans during Shute's 10 year-tenure as an assistant in addition to 31 All-PL honorees and 10 major PL awards. Shute was honored with Starr, Tracey Paul and Niklas Wellen as the 2017 NFHCA Northeast Region Coaching Staff of the Year.
As a student-athlete, Shute was one of the most prolific scorers in BU history, ranking third all-time in goals (45), and she remains one of only four Terriers to surpass the 100-point mark. The 2005 America East Offensive Player of the Year helped BU win conference titles in each of her final three seasons and earned first-team recognition at the conference and regional levels all three years.
No player in program history played in more games than Shute with 87 as the final contest of her career was in the 2007 NCAA quarterfinal round after the Terriers had set the school record for wins at 18 with an overtime first-round victory against Big Ten champion Iowa.
"I am eager to honor the incredible legacy Sally Starr built for BUFHA by leading with integrity and sustaining competitive excellence," added Shute. "I cannot wait to get to work with our student-athletes and the entire BU community. This is truly a dream come true – once a Terrier, always a Terrier!"
Shute, who also served as a physical education and wellness instructor at MIT, earned her undergraduate degree from BU's School of Hospitality Administration in 2008 and finished a master's degree in 2017 from the Wheelock School of Education with a concentration in physical education and coaching.
Shute and her wife, Courtney, who is the head women's lacrosse coach at Tufts, reside in Waltham with their son, Bodhi, and daughter, Sawyer.
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