It has been said, “If you build it, they will come.” And this fall at Principia School, after a 25-year hiatus, it’s coming—field hockey is back! 

What makes Principia field hockey such an exciting place to play isn’t just the return of the sport—it’s the coaches, players, and facilities that create a successful runway for the program. 

Already a go-to hub for elite club teams in the region, Principia’s field is an almost unheard-of asset for a high school. Closer to a college-level facility, it delivers faster speeds, more precise passing, less forgiving mistakes, and a technical edge over teams who play and practice on standard grass fields. 

Head coach Todd Dillon arrives at Principia with a track record of building winning programs and developing student-athletes who thrive on and off the field. “There is a proud history here, and I’m honored to be part of building the next chapter,” said Dillon, “one that emphasizes not only competing at a high level but also growing as individuals and teammates.” 

Athletic Director Shawn Brown echoes that excitement. “There’s no better time to bring field hockey back,” he explained. “We began to build our own program by taking baby steps. Strategically, we built the infrastructure years ago when we improved our fields across campus. We’ve been slowly building excitement and now is a great time to have our very own team again. It’s exciting for the girls, the school, and our community.” 

That long-game approach reveals something deeper about Principia: progress here moves forward with purpose, and impeccable timing. The foundation of this relaunch was laid years ago—literally from the ground up—with the addition of a rare and coveted water turf field—one of only a handful in Missouri. 

Principia’s water turf field is already a regional hotspot for elite programs like AIM Field Hockey—the engine behind elite field hockey in the area—coached by Principia alumna Lauren Cornthwaite. Now, both AIM and Principia are training on a surface that mirrors college-level play, preparing athletes for the next level.  

Principia welcomes players from across the area to spend time on campus—tour the school, meet our coaches, and take a step onto our field.