'94 Champs, Catching up with Kelley Bloomer Fisher

With field hockey celebrating the 20^th anniversary of the program's 1994 national championship, we caught up with several members of the squad to learn more about where they are now, how JMU and JMU Athletics has shaped their lives and what special memories they carry with them from that magical season. This week, we focus on Kelley Bloomer Fisher, who played four years as a forward for the Dukes with 21 goals and 16 assists, including career bests of 10 goals and six assists during her junior campaign in 1994. The entire 1994 field hockey squad will be the first team to be inducted into the JMU Hall of Fame on Champions Weekend, Nov. 21, 2014.
What specific memories do you have from the 1994 season, both in the regular season and the postseason?

I rode a roller coaster of emotions throughout the 1994 season, experiencing the highest of highest and the lowest of lows. There were moments throughout the year when I really struggled with my confidence. Pam Neiss spent a great deal of time and energy working with me to help pull me out of my slumps. I joke now when telling people that I was not allowed to be Carole's warmup partner before games because I never touched the ball. She dribbled around me like I was a firmly rooted tree and that was not good for my confidence heading into games. When the game started my muscles were certainly warm and I was sweating, not because of the warmup, but because I had been chasing Carole.   Having gone through those struggles during the year, winning the championship was that much more fulfilling. It wasn't easy, I personally (and we as a team) had to overcome a great deal of adversity, and it made experiencing that kind of success so much more rewarding.

At what point of the season did you get the feeling that this could build into something special?

For me, there was not a specific moment in the season, but rather an attitude and a belief that developed each year leading into the 1994 season. Each year I was at JMU felt like something special. When I was recruited, Christy was adamant that JMU would be a national powerhouse. We only won five games my freshman year, my sophomore year we were in the elite eight and my junior year we won it all.

What were your thoughts and emotions entering the championship game? How do you remember your emotions evolving as the game progressed?

The trip to the field started out fantastically as the bus got lost in downtown Boston and our team arrived via taxicab to the biggest game of our collegiate careers. Ironically, the scramble for the cabs helped to ease many of my pregame nerves. I would have thought about everything on the bus ride over, but instead I was in a cab wondering if we would even find the field. When the game started, it honestly felt like any other game just in front of a lot more people. The game was competitive until we got into the overtime period. In the overtimes, Carolina had a lot of opportunities to score, including several penalty corner chances. I remember just hoping we could hold on long enough to get into penalty stokes. If we could get to strokes, I loved our chances.

Describe your emotions once penalty strokes finished and the realization struck that you were national champions?

I felt both elated and numb at the same time. I remember thinking, "did this really just happen, did little JMU just upset the Carolina Tar Heels?" As a lover of sport, it is a constant reminder of why you play the game and that anything is possible on any given day.

Was the national championship your favorite game from the 1994 season or does another stand out?

There is not a specific game that stands out; the whole season was just so special. We were a real team. We held each other accountable, supported each other, and pushed each other to be better. We were the best we could be for each other. As the season went on, we knew we had something very special.

Aside from just the 1994 season, what are some of your overall favorite JMU Field Hockey memories?

There were so many, it's hard to choose. If I had to pick a few that stand out, I would say:
1. My freshman year Christy gathering all of the freshmen after a week of preseason, asking us how we were doing and me proceeding to tell everyone I liked to cry in the shower because my eyes swelled less
2. Having a preseason bonfire at Christy's house
3. Taking Carole to Walmart for the first time and almost missing practice because she was so in awe that everything she wanted and needed was all in one place and she didn't want to leave
3. Learning Christy was claustrophobic after the seniors thought it would be "fun" to lock the new coach in the bathroom on the bus.
4. Going to breakfast at Howard Johnsons realizing we were going to be late for a spring season trip, driving down the main road at 5:30 a.m., seeing Gwen running down the road with all of her stuff (also late), grabbing her while the car was in motion and lifting her into the minivan, pulling into Godwin, slamming on the breaks, and almost hitting Christy…
5. Everyone knowing I suffered from a severe case of tiny bladder and no matter how badly everyone had to go, they knew if they waited long enough, I would eventually have to ask Christy to stop for a bathroom break on road trips
6. Always asking Christy if I could have a hamburger instead of pasta as my pregame meal and that question being met with the look we all know Christy can give
7. Pulling into Forest Hills after the Carolina win and having the house decorated by our swimmer roommates who returned from a swim meet early in the day and were ready to help us celebrate
8. Looking up into the stands whether we were playing at home or away and seeing my mom and dad in the stands

Did the championship team have any pregame rituals/traditions? If yes, what were they?

We had our cheer, "Together finish". This started at the beginning of the season and continued all the way through the final game. For me, I always wore my lovely
mustard colored undies and white ankle socks with green trim. It was very fashionable and trendy in 1994.

Did you have a nickname on the team? If yes, what was it? If not, who had the best one?

My nickname was "Bloomer". There were three Kelley's/Kelly's on the team so we all had nicknames. I was "Bloomer", Kelly Kreiger went by "Kreiger" and Kelly McDonald was "Fred".

Coach Morgan left JMU field hockey for a period of time and returned this year. What are your thoughts on her return to the program?

I could not be happier for JMU, Christy and most importantly for the student-athletes who will have the opportunity grow and learn under Christy.

What impact do you expect Coach Morgan to make upon her return to the program?

I expect Christy's impact on JMU and on the field hockey world to be every bit as powerful today as it was when she first started at JMU.

How much do you follow the current JMU field hockey team either by attending games or via JMUSports.com or social media?

I worked for USA Field Hockey for a brief time after graduation and then was indirectly involved with USA Field Hockey during my time with the Olympic Committee. I have continued to follow the college game and results since graduation. However, now that Christy is back at the helm, I am very aware of JMU's upcoming games and results and am hoping JMU will play Louisville in the very near future.

How much contact have you maintained with Coach Morgan and the other championship team players?

I have occasional contact with my former teammates and Christy. While I do not post much (ok almost never post) on Facebook, everyone should know I "Facebook stalk" enough to know what is going on in everyone's lives. I would like to thank Karen Zarchin for ensuring we all stay informed.

How often do you return to campus or when was the last time you returned?

We had a 10-year reunion and that was the last time I was back at JMU. Louisville is as close to Harrisonburg I've lived since I left for Camp Pendleton, California, in 1999 so it's been difficult to get back.

Does field hockey still play a role is your life? If so, how? It does.

Ever since I worked for USA Field Hockey, I have continued to follow the college game.   Having been around coaches and now working for the National Fastpitch Coach's Association, I've learned just how small the athletics world really is.

What did you first do after graduating from JMU? (personally and/or professionally)

I took a very traditional path post-graduation (insert sarcasm). I worked for two years doing various contract jobs in the Northern Virginia, but was really floundering with what I wanted to do professionally. So, I took the logical next step for someone struggling to find professional direction and joined the Marine Corps. After 10 weeks at Officer Candidate School (OCS), I was commissioned as an Officer in the Marine Corps. When I graduated from OCS and looked into the audience, there were my parents, my grandpa, two of my JMU teammates, the current JMU assistant coach (and now Dartmouth Head Coach), Amy Fowler and Christy Morgan. I must say, there were many times during my time at OCS when I thought of Christy and my JMU experiences. I probably reflected on my JMU experience because of the parallels between my Sergeant Instructors and Christy Morgan. In all seriousness, I thrived in the OCS environment largely because of Christy and what I learned at JMU. I was a true team player and I was physically and mentally prepared for whatever challenges came my way. After OCS, I had another six months of training at The Basic School, and then another six months in Communications School. After over a year of training, I was determined to lead Marines and served my time in the fleet Marine force as a Communications Officer with the 1^st Force Service Support Group stationed at Camp Pendleton, California.

What are your current professional endeavors?

After the Marine Corps, I moved to the Lake Tahoe area where I worked for Marriott Vacation Club International and served as a Revenue Manager and as the Director of Vacation Experience during my four years. After four years in Lake Tahoe, I realized I missed sports. Luck brought me to Colorado Springs and to a position with USA Field Hockey. After six months with USA Field Hockey, I got my dream job in the Sport Performance Division with the US Olympic Committee. I spent five years with the Olympic Committee and had the great fortune of working the Beijing, Vancouver, and London Olympic Games. Since moving to Louisville, Kentucky, in 2010 I have worked as the Guest Services Manager for Churchill Downs and am currently the Director of Membership for the National Fastpitch Coach's Association.

How much did your experiences with JMU field hockey shape the last 20 years of your life?

My time at JMU had an immeasurable impact on my life. It's funny because while you are living the day to day it's difficult to comprehend the effects certain experiences will have down the road. As a 17-21 year old at JMU, there were times when my confidence was broken, when I wanted to quit, when I felt things were too hard or unfair, and when I questioned everything Christy and the coaching staff did. Now, having really lived life and having to overcome its continued challenges and setbacks, I have a much different perspective. My JMU experience and having Christy Morgan as a coach played a huge part in making me the person I am today. I first realized what profound impact this had had when I graduated from OCS and l looked into the audience and saw Christy. It was in that moment when I fully realized just what Christy had done for me. All I wanted to do was say thank you for giving me the opportunity, thank you for pushing me until I broke and then for building me up again, thank for teaching me what it feels like to think you've given it your all and to still give more, and to say I'm sorry for anything I may have done to make your life more difficult because I could not see the big picture. Christy, I am forever grateful. Thank you for pushing me. I am a better person today because of you.

What do you like to do with your time outside of work/obligations?

Outside of work, I like to spend time outside and with my two Labrador Retrievers Guinness and Jameson.

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Upcoming Event: Field Hockey versus American on April 4, 2026 at All Day

Upcoming Event: Field Hockey versus Virginia on April 4, 2026 at All Day

Upcoming Event: Field Hockey at Towson on April 11, 2026 at All Day

Upcoming Event: Field Hockey versus Bucknell on April 11, 2026 at All Day

Upcoming Event: Field Hockey versus William & Mary on April 12, 2026 at 1 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Field Hockey versus DC Dragons on April 18, 2026 at 1 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Field Hockey at Maryland on April 25, 2026 at 1 p.m.

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'94 Champs, Catching up with Kelley Bloomer Fisher

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