Hall of Fame
Karen Funk, a graduate of Marathon High School (Section IV) and SUNY Cortland, is among the winningest field hockey coaches in the state after completing her 41st varsity season last fall at Marathon. Funk was the founder of the Marathon High School program and since their inaugural season she has compiled 520 wins—third all-time—and holds the record for longest win streak in New York State at 87 games and is tied for first for most NYSPHSAA State titles with nine. She has coached 30 National All-Academic Players, eight National All-Americans and 13 Regional All-Americans. Before a successful coaching career began, Funk was hired as a substitute teacher and coach in 1972 at Marathon. By 1982 she was a full-time physical education teacher and six years later also started a youth field hockey program in the community. Funk, who also coached girls basketball, volleyball and softball at various levels, has been honored numerous times including inductions into the National Field Hockey Coaches Hall of Fame in 2010, the Section IV Hall of Fame in 2008, and Cortland C-Club Hall of Fame in 2002. In 2007, she was named the NFHCA National High School Field Hockey Coach of the Year. Funk retired as a physical education teacher in 2006 after more than 30 years of service.