FAIRFIELD, Conn. (September 28, 2023) – Last spring, Anna Buhrmann saw her career cut short, as she was tragically paralyzed during a spring break skiing trip in Colorado. After Sunday, no member of the Sacred Heart University field hockey team will wear her number ever again. The Pioneers will retire Buhrmann's number 30 jersey prior to their 1 p.m. game against Quinnipiac at Johnson Field in New Haven.
 
"Anna has left a lasting impression on the program; she was always smiling, dancing and singing, both on the field and off," said head coach Sydney Van Der Merwe. "She is one of the most positive people I know and the strides she has made in her rehab are amazing. We can all take a page from her with respect to her attitude and work ethic in dealing with her injury. She is missed on the team, but we know she is watching us from Germany, and Anna will always be a part of the SHU family."
 
Both teams are expected to wear #AnnaStark shirts during pregame, in honor of Buhrmann. Prior to the introduction of starting lineups, Van Der Merwe will present the number 30 jersey to Kenzie Riccardi, a former SHU student-athlete and close friend of Buhrmann, who was on the ski trip with her last spring.
 
Buhrmann, a native of Duesseldorf, Germany, played in 13 games for the Pios last year, including seven starts, and recorded one assist.
 
The pregame ceremony is set to begin at approximately 12:40 p.m., with the game to follow.