Brianna Duba founded the Upstate Hockey Club out of a deep passion for field hockey and a clear vision to grow the sport in the Upstate region. Having experienced firsthand how transformative the game can be, Brianna wanted to create a structured, supportive environment where local athletes could access top-tier coaching and elite competitive opportunities close to home.

Before launching the club, Brianna built an exceptional competitive background in the sport at both the prep school and NCAA collegiate levels:

• Collegiate Career: Brianna was a standout collegiate athlete and two-year team captain at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). As a defender and midfielder, she started every single game of her career. Her elite play earned her recognition as an NFHCA All-American, NFHCA All-Region Team selection all three years, Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year, and ECAC Division III Defensive Player of the Year. She was also selected to play in the NFHCA Division III Senior Game.

• High School Career: Prior to college, she was a four-year varsity starter and captain at The Ethel Walker School in Connecticut, where she led her team to a WNEPSFHA Championship. She was named an NFHCA High School Player of the Month, an All-Southern New England Region selection, and a four-time NFHCA All-Academic selection.

Today, Brianna is dedicated to investing in the next generation of players. Her coaching philosophy focuses not just on building advanced stickwork and tactical hockey IQ, but on fostering a team-first culture that builds confidence, resilience, and character off the turf.

"My goal for Upstate HC is simple: to share the game I love, challenge players to reach their highest potential, and build a lasting field hockey community here in the Upstate."

— Brianna Duba, Founder & Director