The University of Victoria has permanently enshrined its former field hockey coach鈥檚 legacy at the place where her four-decade career began.

UVic on Saturday (Oct. 21) named the CARSA field hockey pitch the Lynne 鈥淏uzz鈥� Beecroft Field to commemorate one of the most decorated coaches in Canadian university sports history.

鈥淚t is truly an honour to have this field named after me, I鈥檓 pretty sure I could have just pulled up a bed and had this as my second home for many years,鈥� Beecroft said in her acceptance speech. 鈥淗onestly, as much as it鈥檚 a legacy to have this field in my name, what I have loved the most was just coaching and playing with everyone here, so thank you for this incredible honour.鈥�

As a coach, she captured 15 U SPORTS national championships and had another 19 medals on the national stage.

UVic said Beecroft鈥檚 remarkable journey is not only characterized by countless achievements and accolades but the profound impact she has made on her athletes, colleagues, the community and the sport. Around 40 pupils took her guidance before they would go on to represent Canada in field hockey.

A couple hundred people gathered on the field hockey pitch on Oct. 21 for the official unveiling of the new sign with Beecroft鈥檚 name. The schools said the Lynne 鈥淏uzz鈥� Beecroft Field is a fitting tribute that stands as a testament to her lasting impact on the sport and all those fortunate enough to have experienced the coach鈥檚 passion.

鈥淏uzz has done a masterful job of tapping the wellsprings of potential of her athletes. Every time a Vikes athlete has the opportunity to step on this field, they will be a part of her legacy,鈥� Krista Thompson, UVic women鈥檚 field hockey head coach, said in a news release.

In five years as a UVic player, Beecroft helped her team capture two Canada West titles and three runner-up finishes in the conference. It was her speed and tenacity that earned her the Buzz moniker.

She also participated in four World Cups and the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics as a member of Team Canada. Among many other accomplishments, Beecroft has also been inducted into the UVic, B.C. and Greater Victoria sports halls of fame.

A day after the field鈥檚 renaming, it was the site of the Vikes鈥� fifth-straight Canada West title after a 1-0 win over the University of British Columbia. The women鈥檚 field hockey team will now compete at the U SPORTS championships in Ontario from Nov. 2 to 6.

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