On Tuesday, September 22, 2026, field hockey families and fans gathered in the new Werner Family Pavilion, overlooking Thomas Field, the home of MICDS Field Hockey, to dedicate the program’s new facility upgrades. We extend our deepest thanks to the Werner family for their generosity in supporting these transformational enhancements.
In addition to supporting recent upgrades for MICDS baseball, the Werner family sought to elevate the experience for field hockey student-athletes and fans alike. The most visible addition is the enhanced spectator area, featuring a covered pavilion, updated stadium seating, and a welcoming reception patio. As a central gathering hub for the field hockey community, the space gives players a place to connect before and after games and Ram fans a place to cheer on game day.
The enhancements also directly impact player performance and experience. After conversations with coaching staff, additional turf was added along the sidelines to keep team areas clean and organized. Branded, all-weather player structures now elevate the benches for student-athletes and are complemented by a new weather-protected scorer’s table adjacent to the team areas. Additionally, a larger dedicated storage facility sits closer to the field for improved day-to-day functionality. Many thanks to Centerbrook Architects and BSI Constructors for bringing these upgrades to life.
Head of School Chelle Wabrek opened the dedication ceremony by recalling one of her first encounters with the program: watching the team play via livestream prior to moving to St. Louis. “I was so impressed by their poise, composure, teamwork, and their connection and commitment to each other,” she shared. Wabrek also highlighted the profound role physical environments play in student development. “There is a saying that the space a student inhabits is the third teacher. They have parents as their first teacher, and the teachers here at MICDS are their second teacher. The space informs what they do. When a space like this elevates their standing, it allows students to lean into their own aspirations and experience the kind of excellence that a space like this evokes – expecting the best from themselves and from each other. This reinforces that what they are doing truly matters.”
Upper School English Teacher and Varsity Field Hockey Head Coach Lynn Mittler, now in her 27th season, reflected on her interview process nearly three decades ago when she first saw the grass field that had served Mary Institute and MICDS for generations. “When I learned that the field and the one below it were to be used strictly for women’s sports, I knew this was the school I wanted to be a part of because they center women’s sports, and they value teams like this,” Mittler recalled. She expressed gratitude to the donors, adding, “This project clearly communicates to the community and everyone that visits that we value the work our teams do, the time they put in, the dedication they have to each other and their school, and the pride they feel playing for MICDS.”
Brad Werner ’86 shared his family’s personal history with the sport. “Field hockey has a long and storied tradition at MI and MICDS,” he noted. “It’s always been part of my life, with my sister bounding out the door in the morning, a stack of textbooks under one arm, a heavy wool field hockey uniform on the other, and a Tab soda in hand.” He underscored the field’s central location on campus and paid tribute to the generations of supporters who built upon its foundation: “It shouldn’t be lost on us that this field is at the center of the entire campus. Twenty-six years ago, the Thomas family formally established this space dedicated to field hockey. In 2009, the Holekamp family converted Thomas Field to turf, and in 2020, the Lochhead and Oliver families provided a water cannon system for faster play. So many parents, alums, and generous supporters have contributed to its evolution over the years. We worked closely with the team, Centerbrook Architects, and BSI Constructors to add turf sidelines, a weather-protected scoring table, and a new storage shed that is now fondly known as ‘Mittler’s Mansion.’ The covered seating pavilion and reception plaza were especially important to Chrissie for families, players, friends, and even pets on game days.”
To conclude the ceremony, Wabrek presented the Werners with a framed rendering of the new facility along with a commemorative field hockey stick signed by varsity team members. Shortly after, the 106th MI & MICDS Varsity Field Hockey team took to the field against Lafayette, capping off a historic day with an 8-1 victory.
Here’s to another 100+ years of excellence, community, and victory on the pitch. Go Rams!
