CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) – One of the most accomplished athletes in the history of the University of North Carolina is not being allowed to try out for the U.S. Olympic team.
UNC-Chapel Hill officials released statements on Thursday, stating that Erin Matson was denied the chance to participate in tryouts for the U.S. field hockey team during its trials in Charlotte this weekend.
This decision comes after Matson helped Team USA take home the gold medal at the Pan Am Cup competition last month in Canada. She had been a member of the U.S. national team since she was 17 years old.
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CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 19: Head Coach Erin Matson of the North Carolina Tar Heels celebrates with former head coach Karen Shelton after defeating the Northwestern Wildcats for the national title during the Division I Womens Field Hockey Championship held at Karen Shelton Stadium on November 19, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) -
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 19: Head Coach Erin Matson of the North Carolina Tar Heels can’t look after defeating the Northwestern Wildcats for the national title during the Division I Women’s Field Hockey Championship held at Karen Shelton Stadium on November 19, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) -
WINSTON SALEM, NC – NOVEMBER 24: Erin Matson #1 and Romea Riccardo #11 of the North Carolina Tar Heels celebrate their victory over the Princeton Tigers during the Division I Women’s Field Hockey Championship held at Kentner Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) -
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 09: Erin Matson #1 of the North Carolina competes with Kathryn Peterson #27 for the ball of the Michigan during the Division I Women’s Field Hockey Championship held at Karen Shelton Stadium on May 9, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tar Heels defeated the Wolverines 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Grant Halverson/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) -
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 09: Erin Matson #1 (R) of the North Carolina Tar Heels celebrates with teammates after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime against the Michigan Wolverines during the Division I Women’s Field Hockey Championship held at Karen Shelton Stadium on May 9, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tar Heels defeated the Wolverines 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Grant Halverson/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Matson, the current head coach of the UNC field hockey team, led the Tar Heels to the NCAA national championship in her first year at the helm of the program. She also won four national titles during her playing career, earning the Honda Award as the nation’s best player three times from 2018-2022.
“For reasons that are beyond comprehension, Erin has been denied the opportunity to try out for the US Olympic Team at the trials in Charlotte on April 7,” UNC Board of Trustees Chair John Preyer said. “Why is US Field Hockey denying the greatest American player in history a chance to compete for a spot on the Olympic team? Erin meets all the criteria and is willing, able, and ready to be in Charlotte on Sunday with the full support of her colleagues and team at Carolina. We trust US Field Hockey will reconsider their earlier statements and give Erin the opportunity to compete.”
“Erin has inspired field hockey fans across generations to love and embrace this great sport,” UNC Board of Trustees Member Jennifer Evans said. “Beyond her many contributions at Carolina, she has been a member of the US national training program since she was 17. During her brief ‘sabbatical’ from international competition, she became the youngest Division I coach in history to lead a team to a national championship. Erin cares deeply about her sport and her teammates and wants to do everything possible to promote field hockey and help the United States win in Paris. Erin’s skills, conditioning and competitiveness will speak for themselves… she is simply seeking an opportunity to try out.”
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Erin Matson, USA India v USA – Women’s Hockey World Cup 2018 – Pool B – Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre 29-07-2018 . (Photo by John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images) -
LIMA, PERU – AUGUST 09: Erin Matson of United States competes for the ball with Carolina Garcia of Chile during Hockey Women bronze medal on Day 14 of Lima 2019 Pan American Games at Hockey Field of Complejo Deportivo Villa Maria del Triunfo on August 9, 2019 in Lima, Peru. (Photo by Daniel Apuy/Getty Images) -
LIMA, PERU – AUGUST 09: Erin Matson of United States celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Chile during Hockey Women bronze medal on Day 14 of Lima 2019 Pan American Games at Hockey Field of Complejo Deportivo Villa Maria del Triunfo on August 9, 2019 in Lima, Peru. (Photo by Daniel Apuy/Getty Images)
CBS 17 reached out to USA Field Hockey and received the following statement:
“At this moment, USA Field Hockey declines to comment further. The U.S. Women’s National Team high performance staff have previously asked Erin to meet in Charlotte and are awaiting a response.”
This summer marks the first appearance in the Olympics for Team USA since 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.