"I had a great experience with Coach Barb at UMass. She cares about her players on and off the field and is always there for us. I can think of many specific instances when she put mental health first, whether it be allowing a player to take a mental health day or encouraging us to speak up about issues we are facing. She also creates a positive team culture."

"For my review I am including a passage or text I sent across to the Athletic Director at Umass, to which I had no real response apart from asking to discuss via a call, which I agreed to (as long as it was recorded). I heard nothing back from this acceptance, which, in my opinion states what little regard is had for the views of Alumni. In October of 2019, a team mate and I raised a report with the administration of Umass athletics denoting many concerns we had regarding the umass field hockey program. These concerns were noted personally in a six page letter, that contained issues I have chosen not to mention in this account. These concerns varied from unprofessionalism within the coaching staff to extreme disregard to their athletes mental health. Covid then happened and little to no change was seen. I graduated and put my concerns to bed, maybe the program would change on its own, maybe coaches would see the error of their ways. However, it has recently come to my attention that nothing has changed. Athletes aren’t leaving this program with conference titles and rings, more so a bitter taste at the very least. I think it’s easy to read a report and brush it off as an isolated case. Maybe it’s time for those with stories to tell to speak about their experiences too, I’ll take my turn. Having grown playing hockey at a junior international level, I was no stranger to hard work and brutal setbacks - I thought the NCAA was where athletes went to have the time of their lives. I was unlucky to gain an injury my first day of preseason, leaving me on the bench for many weeks. I missed all of preseason and came back (arguably too soon) and nervous. My confidence was knocked and I struggled a lot mentally. While never explicitly said, it was made very clear in my opinion that the coaches deemed my weight an issue, I would be repeatedly asked about my nutrition and fitness levels. In one particular meeting I was asked which player I looked up to fitness wise, I gave my answer and was told ‘well she runs 12k every Sunday, are you going to do that?’. Pitting players against each other is a hellishly toxic thing to do to begin with, let alone when it is balanced on a perceived weight issue. Adjusting to college, especially when one is a D1 athlete is hard, let alone when you’re an international student 3,000 miles from home. In one particularly bad spell, I asked for a mental health day from practice. I wasn’t sleeping, I had an extremely low mood and the thought of facing practice that day made me feel physically sick, I would have been off the ball and risked injury. After the practice I was pulled into a meeting with our coaches and the mental health counsellor we had at the time. It was suggested I should be left at home for our forthcoming away trip, I viewed this as a punishment for taking a singular mental health day away from practice. If it wasn’t for our counsellor stepping in, I’d have been alone for four days, totally isolated as all my team were away while in a really bad mental health state - in what world would that be a sensible idea? It was around this time that I was asked if I’d be happier player for the club side. This was ludicrous to me as I did not have the desire to leave and not once had I ever alluded to not wanting to play varsity field hockey. Had I struggled with my mental health? Yes - a lot! But I still loved the team and my identity as an athlete. This was the first (of at least three) times when I was asked directly if I wanted to leave. It was apparent that they wanted me gone, maybe I didn’t fit the vibe, or I wasn’t the player they had in mind but one thing was apparent, they didn’t want me there. Now, as a player in a substantial scholarship, if I were to be cut they would have to continue paying my scholarship until I left. But, if I quit, I’d lose my scholarship, hence, in my opinion, their attempts to get me to quit. Now, anyone who knows me will know I am hellishly stubborn! If you don’t want me somewhere, you bet I will turn up everyday and stick it out, just to piss you off. From then on, no matter my mental state, I ‘put on a brave face’ and turned up to every practice giving it my all. Practice, from the very first training of preseason, had a feel of starters vs scrubs. If you were a player not getting many minutes on the field, you were totally expendable. This meant every session was an uphill battle for many of the team. But, I muddled through the season and made it out the other end. Spring came along and due to the graduation of our senior keeper, and the departure of the other keeper in my freshman class (the first of three keepers to leave the program in three consecutive years), I was the only keeper. I saw this as my shot, I poured everything into field hockey, going on extra runs in my own time, doing individual sessions multiple times a week, sometimes everyday. But really, all I was doing was keeping my head above water. The pressure in practice left me in a state of panic for the entirety of most sessions and I know I’m not alone in feeling that way. Before we knew it, it was sophomore season. Having made it to the A10 finals the previous season, we were ready to make this our year. This pipe dream came crashing down pretty quickly in a brutal 5-0 loss in our opening game. Next followed a trip up to Vermont where some athletes ordered baked sweet potato nachos, resulting in a verbal degradation citing the fact we ate nachos as the reason we got out ‘arses handed to [us] by Michigan’. That is only one of many occasions our food choices were ridiculed by staff, on one occasion a red-shirt ordered a grilled cheese as a meal on a road trip and was told off in front of the full team, meals on away trips were heavily regulated. However, for the coaches, anything was fair game. We as students had little support when it came to our academics. I remember it being commented that we spent too much time on our work and this coach had not known a team so focussed on academics. On one particular occasion we had a Tuesday night game over two hours away and a scheduled off day the next day, at 9pm on the way home from this game we were told our off day was cancelled. I had allotted that off day to catch up on work and study for a test. When I told Barb that I had had to stay up to 2am studying due to the off day cancellation at the last minute, I was told ‘if you don’t want to stay up late to study, you don’t have to be on this team’ - not particularly student first if you ask me. Physically, we were pushed to our limits. It was a generally accepted norm that if you could get out of bed, you should be at practice. This resulted in practicing while extremely unwell and prolonging the time it took us to get healthy again. I personally remember a particular indoor practice tournament where I was struggling with a quad injury. Being the only goalkeeper, due to my classmate stepping down from the squat and transferring colleges, I had to play through extreme pain and the coaches were finally reticent to let me rest while injured. I was made to feel like I was lying, that I wasn’t actually injured and it was some moral failing to be in pain. We as a goalkeeping unit had a joke of ‘sweat or tears’. While this was a funny game to us, the harsh reality was it was relevant due to the fact that in one particular season at least two of us would cry most sessions… We’re not weak people, we just had extremely unhealthy pressure put on us for no reward. During my sophomore spring, I decided to do everything in my control to be the starter in the fall. I attended individual training sessions almost everyday before practice, I ran extremely excessively and especially over the summer break I lost a lot of weight. This was praised by the coaches and began to cement an idea that the thinner I was, the more I was valued on the team. This spiralled and resulted in me spending the fall of my senior year juggling classes, practice and three days a week of intensive outpatient treatment for an eating disorder that had gripped me. I was so stuck in the belief that I had to be as small and as fit as possible I ran my body into the ground just to be good enough. Even while I was in treatment I was still required to go to practice on the field. The idea that you had to go extremely above and beyond was instilled in many of us. And, while arguably this could be seen as a good trait in moderation, it caused strong divisions in the team. It left us believe certain players ‘deserved’ less playing time as they couldn’t meet the rigid fitness test goals despite injury, or they didn’t deserve it because they weren’t going to multiple individual sessions a week. We had been truly brainwashed. It was not their fault at all, they were student athletes with great career goals and high academic standards, there was no time or mental energy to be doing five extra hours of workouts or training on top of the mandatory 20 hours. The coaches were so disconnected from the mood of their players that they were astounded to know that at the end of one season, at least 9 players on their roster had sought psychological help throughout the course of the season. It took the team athletic trainer to bring it to their attention, and quite frankly it is preposterous that they were unaware of the sheer numbers of unhappy players on their team that were mentally struggling. When you’re already feeling mentally low, realising your coaches don’t even realise really kicks you while you’re down. When, as a captain group, we raised the idea that many on the team were unhappy, it was brushed off by the coaches as it being players disgruntled by a lack of playing time. Despite the fact all of those struggling had varying playing minutes, including some starters. I was approached by many players, all of whom were receiving different amounts of playing time that have said they are not happy with how things are being run and working out but do not feel they can speak to the coaches about it for many reasons. For myself as a non-starter, I always felt my issues were brushed off because I wasn’t getting the minutes I wanted. No, I was horribly depressed, unsupported by my coaches and quite frankly had no desire to even wake up in a morning. Having your mental health dismissed and put down to just being down to playing time is heinously disheartening. Starters were scared to speak up due to fear of losing their spots, all of which lead to an environment where people were scared or unwilling to talk to the coaches. On one particular occasion in the fall of 2018 when I raised concerns to the coaches in a meeting (for which my parents were present) I was told if I didn’t like the way the program was run, I could leave. Were they really that fragile that the way they responded to criticism was to show me the door? One thing causing that caused me and others extreme pressure and sense of panic in practice was the extreme competitiveness in practice. This went way beyond the normal acceptable levels. Even after the coaching staff were made aware of this detriment by the head of sports psychology at the time, nothing changed. In fact certain players were asked in the weeks following what could be done to make practice more competitive. In my career at umass there had been so many occasions where I felt gaslit. The most resounding one of these came in the meeting in which I told the coaches I would not be returning for the season of spring 2021. I had spent weeks at home and finally started to get a grip on my mental health. I had really started to improve and see how toxic the field hockey environment had been for me and I knew had I returned, I would have gone back into a very bad mental place. I explained this to the coaches in a meeting and I was met with Barb telling me she was ‘questioning my loyalty to the team’. I had given three and a half years to that team. For the majority of my time there I was in such a bad mental state that I struggled to get out of bed each morning. Going to practice was an extreme dread and I cried my way through almost every session. But I was there for my team, so much so I had been voted as a captain my junior year, despite being a ‘scrub’. I had their backs, supported them out of their own dark places, and tried my hardest to make them feel like they weren’t alone. I stepped down from the program while the world was ravaged through covid, border entry to the US and back to England was complicated and the season wasn’t even confirmed and definitely wasn’t a ‘proper’ season. To be, in my option, gaslit, right until the very end is something that just leaves me saddened. Now, I accept I am not on the team currently, so some may argue I don’t have my finger on the pulse. However my lasting question having read recent events would be, when I reduced Barb to tears in her office in the fall of 2019 as I made her realise she had become the sort of coaching monster that had been plagued with in her career, did nothing change? Why are girls still going through what seems like the exact same thing that I, and many others in my class and since have been through?"

"She's a great coach who works hard to inspire and lead future generations. "

"Coach is a good person who cares about the well-being of her players on and off the field. To help players succeed she has to try to uphold standards and expectations. Not everyone likes that or being held accountable. Some players want to play DI to say they played DI, some play college sports for the clout and swag. Some can’t handle failure and want to place blame on others. I’m putting this here to show how Coach is a good person. If you are looking to find out who Coach is or who other coaches are, visit schools and talk to players there, talk to coaches yourself and form your own opinion. If you don’t like a coach, find one you do, and play for them. If you have a complaint or concern with anyone in any profession or in life, handle it professionally and respectfully or say nothing at all. Even if your concern is valid, if it’s made anonymously it cannot always be addressed. "

"Winning record. Players who graduate. Athletes who get better. Young women who enjoy each other. College sports aren’t supposed to be summer camp. Not everyone is picked. And just because you start one year, or or one game, or think everything is as you want it doesn’t mean it’s best for the team. That doesn’t make a bad coach. It doesn’t create a bad culture. A coach has to think of the program, of what is best for everyone rowing the same direction. This site may be Yelp for coaches. Yeah, anyone can post. But good restaurants get more good reviews than bad. And, there will be many more positive reviews on Barb Weinberg. That’s because she is solid - as a person and a coach. "

"Very fair and upstanding coach and all our interactions make UMASS a contender in our player’s list of schools to attend. Wonderful demeanor at clinics and prompt in replying to correspondence. "

"My daughter is having a wonderful experience being coached by Barb. Honest and followed through with commitments she made to my daughter."

"My daughter was managed by this coach for 4 years. Her experience and that of many of her team mates was far less positive than those detailed by by parents and players below. Formal complaints were made at the time regarding Coach Weinberg’s coaching style and the documented detrimental effect she was having on many player’s mental health. The complaints were not the views of a ‘disgruntled individual’, rather the collated views of many players who felt intimated and unable to make personal representations for fear of recriminations. I personally witnessed some of this behaviour in relation to my daughter and her teammates . The AD was aware of all the issues raised at the time. Comments on here suggest coach Weinberg and the Athletics dept. took note and that things may have changed but the recent article in the Boston Globe tells a different but all too familiar side to this story. "

" I think with any coach there will be those that support them, and those that do not. Two girls can have been on the team at the exact same time and have very different experiences. I think the extreme polar opposites in reviews are actually indicative of the culture created by this program, at least historically. There are the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’. Throughout my time on the umass field hockey program I could have been considered both a have and a have not, depending on the time frame we look at. As a have not, you are lead to feel unworthy as a human being, that you simply aren’t good enough. Your worth as a person is dictated by your playing time on the field, which I believe is not truly down to ability alone. Yet, when you’re a have, you believe the have nots have done this to themselves. I remember, when I became a ‘have’ I genuinely looked down on close friends and believed that were being treated badly by Barb and the coaching staff because of their own behaviours. They weren’t, they we your average 18-22 year old girls just trying to juggle life. It is a sign of an unfit leader that girls turn on each other, pointing fingers inwardly rather than moving forward as a team. I truly believe, those in such outspoken support of Barb will look back in the future, when they’re fully removed from the system and realise that fundamental flaws. I cannot fault them for not seeing it while the are fully immersed in the experience - but some introspection upon being removed from the program will show it’s shortfalls. Retention rates for this coach are shocking. When you look at the class of 2021, 11 committed to be part of that class and I believe 2 walked on senior day - they had Barb as their coach for all four years. The class of 2022 lost 3/6 of its players. The class of 2023 lost 3/9 of its players after their first year, and this was before Barb started cutting people - I won’t get into the utterly preposterous fact Barb has been cutting freshmen after one season and not even giving them the chance to prove themselves in a spring season. These players left off their own accord - to remove themselves for this environment in various aspects. I personal suffered with my mental health for the entirety of my time in the program, and I know many of the girls I was there with fought some very similar battles. One could argue this isn’t fully down to Barb, this culture has been allowed to fester by Ryan Bamford and the umass athletic faculty. I know Barb’s shortcomings were raised to athletic administration in October 2019 and yet, in spring 2023, he is still admitting Barb has some communication issues. I could write a novel on the shortcomings of this program and the individuals that lead it, but I shall not turn this into a vendetta. I would just urge anyone reading reviews, news articles or consuming any type of media related to umass field hockey to be objective. Would a team that is so heathy and balanced have such polar opposite view points? And would it have such a high turn over rate? "

"Coach Barb has been such a great coach and mentor for my daughter. She brings the team together, encourages them, gives them honest feedback to help them excel athletically and academically. My daughter has had a great college experience and when she is older, she will look back at her college years and remember the positive impact her coach had on her. We are very fortunate to have Coach Barb as our head coach. She doesn’t deserve the recent slander that she has been receiving from one former player. It’s quite upsetting that this one individual is allowed to slander and bully our coach. It should not be tolerated. We love Coach Barb! "

"The first time I met Barb during the recruiting process, I knew my daughter would be in good hands. We have not been disappointed and, in fact, Barb has exceeded our expectations. We have found her to be kind, supportive, attentive and caring. My daughter has excelled both academically and athletically under her guidance and she has proven to be a great role model. Like any college coach, her expectations are high. And like any college sport, especially D1, it's rigorous for the student-athlete. But through it all, she has been able to create and maintain a positive team culture. She cares for all of her athletes beyond the field, providing support for everything from nutrition to mental health. The girls love her and her retention rate is very high. Thank you, Barb! "

"Barb is a fantastic coach who cares about her team and players. She treats you as a person not just a player. I have so much respect for her knowledge and coaching ability. One of my favourite coaches I’ve ever had. "

"She is an honest coach, who always has the athlete's best interest at heart. She is a knowledgeable coach who creates such a positive team environment for everyone to play in. She brings out the best in all of her athletes both on the field and in life. I will always remember Barb as a coach who put our mental health first and foremost above all else. "

"Barb Weinberg is one of the most caring coaches I have ever had. She has worked extremely hard to incorporate mental health professionals and dietitians onto the staff of our team to help players that were struggling. She constantly is checking in with her athletes and has built an amazing team culture. I have played with her for many years now and I am lucky to have gotten her as a coach. Addressing the recent slander Barb has gone under, it is important to note that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and emotions. With this, it is hard to decipher what is the truth about the information that is being told. It is clear someone is very upset and they are saying things out of spite and hatred for Barb. Their feelings are valid, but keep in mind the place that it is coming from. I fully stand behind Barb, the person she is, and the decisions she has made. WE LOVE YOU BARB!"

"As a parent of a student athlete that has had Coach Barb all 4 years while at UMass, I have to say that the coaching experience has been fantastic. Coach Barb has been extremely supportive and has continually checked in on my daughters mental and physical health. Coach Barb has been extremely supportive. She provides positive feedback and gives ideas for growth as a player as well as a leader on the field. All players that enter D1 college athletics understand that they will have to earn their spot on the team and continue to grow and develop in order to remain on the team. Any college athlete knows that they are not 100% guaranteed a position or a spot on a team. I believe Coach Barb gives great guidance and feedback on how to be the best possible player and teammate and what actions can be taken to improve performance. Coach Barb has been very instrumental in my daughter’s development and college experience, both on and off the field. I couldn’t think of a better coach out there."

"Barb is the best coach I have encounter in my many years of playing field hockey. She checks on my mental state constantly and truly cares how I am doing. She will motivate me positively when I am having a bad day, but pushes me to my fullest potential. Every person I know loves Barb. She is a loving and caring person that will do anything to put a smile on my face everyday. "

"Barb is an amazing coach in and off the field. She pushes us to make us better players and people. By far one of the best coaches I have had over the 13 years of playing this sport. She is understanding and deeply cares for her players. I love Barb so much and I couldn’t have been more blessed with such a great coach and person!!! "

"I have been playing field hockey for 11 years and Barb is the most compassionate coach I’ve had. She really cares for her players in a way that’s rare to see at a high level. I have nothing but respect for her and she makes me want to become a better player and person every day. "

"Barb has personally helped me through hard time and allowed me to take time away from hockey when needed. She separates the person and the player and is always there for you. She pushes you to be your best even when you think that goal in not untrainable. Barb has never been anything but a great supporter to me"

"One of the most understanding coaches I’ve ever played for. "

"I have been playing field hockey for 12 years and I have never had such a caring coach before. Very honest and always stick to her promises. Cares a lot about mental health, and is always open for a chat when you don't feel right. It is such a shame to see a former teammate write bad reviews, if only she would look at herself honestly and realize she didn't put in the work. But I guess it's easier to hide behind a laptop and write fake reviews. "

"Barb is an outstanding coach, she fully understands the student athlete experience and wants the best for her players. She cares about everyone outside of field hockey. "

"Best coach I’ve ever had, cares about mental health like no one else and puts the person before the athlete "

"Best coach ever. She is truly caring and has made me a better player and person. Highly recommend!!"

"This is the most incredible coach I’ve ever had, she cares so much about her players and their feeling. GO BARB"