Freese promoted, Weston to retire
Cristy Freese, CMU's field hockey coach for the past 29 seasons, has been named a Senior Associate Athletic Director. (Central Michigan Life File Photo)
For the first time in almost three decades, Cristy Freese will have a new title. The longtime Central Michigan University field hockey coach has been selected as a Senior Associate Athletic Director for CMU Athletics effective in March.
A nationwide search is currently ongoing to find Freese’s replacement.
Freese has been head coach of the Central Michigan University field hockey team for 29 years. During that time, she has amassed 226 wins, the most by any coach in school history.
Freese led CMU to a regular season championships in 2002 and in 2014. The Chippewas also won MAC Tournament titles in 1990 and 2005.
Freese takes over for Marcy Weston, who announced her retirement in December.
Weston has also been with CMU for quite some time.
With forty years in Mount Pleasant both as a coach and an administrator, Weston was inducted into the CMU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2004.
“A large part of this job is working with coaches, so having that experience is critical,” Weston said.
Freese said he philosophy on dealing with personnel will not change once she begins her new responsibilities.
“I’ll have a quick understanding of what these coaches and student athletes go through,” Freese said.
Dave Heeke, CMU Athletics Director, said Weston’s legacy at CMU is irreplaceable.
"Marcy has done so many incredible things here at CMU,” Heeke said. “But what will be missed most is her unwavering commitment and dedication to the success of student-athletes, coaches and staff. She truly makes all those around her better."
While she still enjoys coaching, Freese said a job like this has always been a dream for her.
“It was always part of my plan to move into administration,” she said. “I feel very fortunate to be able to do it here at CMU.”
A new job brings new challenges for Freese, who is ready to take the next step in her career.
“I am excited to look at athletics from a different point of view,” Freese said. “I can look into how we build teams and those type of things.”
Freese said she will always remember the Chippewas field hockey team’s most recent MAC title in 2014.
“Winning that is a great way to end my coaching career,” Freese said.
