Temple University Athletics
Temple Hall of Famer Anne McConaghie Volp Passes Away
5.25.10 | Field Hockey, General, Women's Basketball
Anne McConaghie Volp, one of Temple University's finest all-around athletes and a 14-year member of the United States Field Hockey team, passed away Saturday after years of struggling with dementia and declining health at the Ellen Memorial Nursing Center in Honesdale, Pa. The five-time USA team captain and Temple Athletic Hall of Famer was 88.
Volp, a standout prep performer at Audubon (NJ) High, competed in field hockey, basketball and diving during her Temple athletics career. She was undefeated in intercollegiate diving competition with the Owls while also earning All-College team honors in basketball in 1940 and 1943.
After graduation, Volp taught physical education at Ambler High School for several years; met her husband of 57 years, Frederick G. Volp; had two sons; and subsequently returned to Temple University to teach, coach and write. After earning her master's degree at Temple, she co-authored a book with O. William Blake entitled Lead-Up Games to Team Sports. The text was a staple for college physical education majors and remained in print for 25 years.
A master motivator and keen competitor, Volp coached the Temple field hockey team for 15 years. She had a legion of loyal players whom she and her husband entertained often at their 200 year old farmhouse in Harleysville, Pa. Known as “Temple's Little Field General” and sporting her signature Scottish hat on the sidelines, she coached 20 Temple players who became All-Americans, including her successor at left inner on the United States Team. In 1955, Volp made the US Touring Team that played in London. She was inducted into the Temple University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1975 and the United States Field Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988.
Anne M. Volp completed her teaching and coaching career at the Springfield School District [Montgomery County, Pa].Still active, she mentored and coached middle school students with great enthusiasm at the Lower Township Schools in Cape May, N.J. She was the founder and director of the Harleysville Hockey Camp for 25 years. With her husband Fred, she traveled the world after retirement. She is survived by son Frederick D. and Lynn Jensen Volp, Huntington Bay, N.Y.; son Gary R.Volp, Doylestown. PA ; and four grandchildren: Alexandra Stull, Frederick H. Volp, Evan and William Volp. Funeral Services will be private.
Family and friends may direct memorial contributions to the Anne M. Volp Field Hockey Scholarship Fund, Temple University Owl Club, 1700 Broad Street, 4th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19122.
