Bringing a wealth of experience and proven success, Cheryl Silva handles the reins of the MIT field hockey program. As she begins her 22nd Fall under the Cambridge sun, Silva has developed a legacy of success in the field hockey program.
 
She is the winningest coach in MIT field hockey history, posting a 206-160-1 record at the Institute. The Engineers have recorded 13 winning seasons under coach Silva’s tutelage, including six-straight seasons with double-digit victories in the 90’s. In 2011, MIT recorded the most successful season in program history, winning an Institute record 19 games, capturing the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Championship for the second time in three years and advancing to the third round of the NCAA Division III Tournament. Silva was named the NEWMAC and National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) New England East Coach of the Year that year, the second time in three seasons that she has received those honors.
 
Silva received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Bridgeport (Conn.) in Physical Education in 1981. She captained the field hockey and softball teams while at Bridgeport and was named to the New England All-College Field Hockey Team.
 
Following graduation, Silva worked at Staples High School and the Princeton Day School as a physical education instructor and field hockey coach. A year as an assistant lacrosse coach at Mount Holyoke College was followed by two years at Wellesley College where she was the assistant to the Athletic Director, Sports Information Director, and Assistant Field Hockey and Lacrosse Coach.