Lander Field Hockey Coach Part of Team USA at World Cup
While many coaches spend the summer preparing for their upcoming sports seasons, Lander University’s head field hockey coach is competing in one of the sport's biggest competitions.
Robbert Schenk is a member of Team USA at the 2026 World Masters Hockey World Cup, which began this week and continues through Aug. 1 in Schiedam, Netherlands. He will join elite athletes from around the globe in this prestigious international competition that showcases the highest level of the sport.
Schenk earned a spot on the United States O-35 (over age 35) Men's Masters Team, joining 17 other players from across the country on the international roster. The team is led by head coach Danny Haydon, assistant coach Jeremy Mason and manager Patrick Holmes.
He secured his place on the U.S. team while simultaneously leading Lander’s field hockey program to its recent winningest (15 – 4) season in school history. The Bearcats also advanced to the South Atlantic Conference championship game for the second time in the program's four seasons.
“It is a true privilege to compete in the World Cup, representing the United States,” Schenk said. “I hope to show our student-athletes that with hard work and determination, there are no limits to what they can achieve. I am also very grateful for the support that the University has shown me, and the continued support of Lander Athletics.”
Lander University President Richard Cosentino said Schenk's selection to represent the United States reflects the coach's personal achievements and the University's commitment to excellence in preparing students to succeed at the highest levels.
“Coach Schenk is not only an exceptional field hockey coach who has built one of the premier programs in the South Atlantic Conference, but he is also an accomplished athlete in his own right,” said President Cosentino. “His opportunity to represent Team USA on the world stage is an incredible achievement, and I know it serves as an inspiration to our student-athletes. This is a proud moment for the entire Lander University family.”
Bringing Success to Lander
Named the first head coach in Lander’s field hockey history in November 2021, Schenk quickly established the Bearcats as one of the premier programs in the South Atlantic Conference and the Atlantic Region.
Under Schenk’s leadership, the Bearcats have a 47-26 overall record. They competed in the 2023 South Atlantic Conference Tournament Championship, had three consecutive South Atlantic Conference Tournament semifinal appearances, two championship game appearances and three consecutive seasons with 10 or more victories.
The team compiled a 34-8 record over the past two seasons, set a program record with 15 wins in 2025 and reached as high as No. 7 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association national rankings.
Before joining Lander Athletics, Schenk was an assistant coach at the University of North Carolina from 2019-21. During that time, the Tar Heels won three Atlantic Coast Conference championships and two NCAA National Championships.
Schenk, a native of Leiderdorp, Netherlands, has played and coached in the Netherlands, England and Australia. His playing career includes stints with Premier League clubs in Den Haag, Netherlands; Melbourne, Australia; and East Grinstead and Oxted, England.
An Inspiration to Lander Athletes
Even before his time on Team USA, Schenk was already a powerful inspiration to his players.
Victoria Hulst, who recently completed her media and communication degree at Lander, said that Schenk’s passion for field hockey was always evident to Lander’s student-athletes. Seeing her former coach compete in the World Cup, according to Hulst, is further evidence of that passion.
“He really understands the game inside and out,” Hulst said, adding that she and other players were excited to see Schenk “do what he loves, not just by coaching, but also by playing.”
Hulst and other members of Lander’s field hockey team are from the Netherlands, where they already are cheering on their coach in the World Cup. Hulst, who will continue her education by pursuing a master’s in journalism, has enjoyed reuniting with her teammates in support of Schenk.
“We’re really proud of him,” she said.
Brian Reese, Lander’s executive director of athletics, said Schenk's accomplishments are a source of pride not only for the field hockey program, but for the entire University.
“We’re proud of Coach Schenk and the example he sets for all Bearcats,” said Reese. “His participation in the World Cup reflects the caliber of coaches and mentors we have at Lander. We’re extremely excited to see him represent our University and our country on the world stage.”