Constance Applebee

Who was Constance Applebee?

Constance Mary Katherine Applebee is best known for introducing field hockey to the United States in 1901.

Born in Chigwell, Essex, United Kingdom, Applebee came to America in 1901 and took a summer course in anthropometry. After winning prizes at Dudley Allen Sargent's Summer School of Physical Training, she demonstrated field hockey for the school. She founded the American Field Hockey Association in 1901, and headed it for 20 years. Applebee continued to teach the sport at several schools and at a summer camp that she established in 1922, and was also the head editor of Sportswoman, a magazine designed for women athletes. She was more commonly known by her nickname, "The Apple", and died at 107 at a New Milton, Hampshire, England nursing home.

She was also active in establishing lacrosse as a women's sport in this country. The U. S. Women's Lacrosse Association was founded at her camp in the summer of 1931. The USWLA governed the sport on the collegiate and club levels until 1981, when the NCAA inaugurated its national championship tournament for women.