On game days, Char Morett sees all at Bigler Field.

For Morett, game days are spent scoping out everything that is happening on the field. She takes it all in, then reacts.

Morett -- in her 18th season as Penn State's head coach -- hollers instructions, offers words of motivation, reprimands players for lack of hustle or execution and sometimes, during a hard-working player's moment of weakness, she'll put an arm around the exhausted pupil and give that player a lift emotionally.

This was particularly evident during a game against North Carolina early in the season, when a veteran player was whistled and given a yellow card. Realizing that the penalty would mean she was done for the game, the player threw her hands up in a passionate moment of disgust, exhaustion and exasperation.

Awaiting her on the sideline was Morett, who wrapped an arm around the frustrated midfielder and offered a few words of consolation.

For all the attention Morett pays to her team's performance on the field, there is an equal amount given to the off field well being of her Nittany Lions.

"It's very casual and open in ways," senior co-captain Amanda Eckert said, describing the player-coach relationship. "I've gone to her about some things that have nothing to do with field hockey, and I really feel that she has a great relationship with her players. She's not just our coach -- we know we can go and talk to her about anything."

"[In addition to being our coach], she's also basically our mom at the same time, both on and off the field -- but more importantly off of it," co-captain Karin Grap said.

The off-field relationships are what Morett relishes most about her job.

"My best memories [of coaching] are probably of watching all these girls come from being wide-eyed high schoolers to Penn State, seeing them grow. Staying in touch with them is very rewarding," Morett said.

Morett, who was inducted into the United States Field Hockey Association Hall of Fame this past January, has 327 career wins -- good enough for fourth place all-time .

But if you talk to her about the game, you're likely to come away thinking that Morett's job is on the line with every game the Lions play.

She picks up on every detail, every nuance of her team that isn't quite right. After victories she's quick to point out that not every facet of the squad's game was in sync, and in practice she'll strive to make sure her team improves

But this is the work ethic of a two-time Olympian, of Penn State field hockey's only three-time All-American, of a USFHA Co-Athlete of the year.

At Penn State, Morett not only excelled as a field hockey player, but was also an All-American at lacrosse.

Though her accomplishments are numerous and impressive, Morett has yet to win a national championship.

"The challenge to win a national championship is something that I continue to pursue," Morett said. "I sort of feel like [PGA golfer] Phil Mikelson a little bit; but if I never coach a national championship team here at Penn State, I'd still feel very fulfilled."

Morett molds her players into high-performance individuals -- both on the field and in the classroom. During her tenure at Penn State, the program has produced 31 different first team All-Americans. And since joining the Big Ten, Penn State field hockey has been well represented each year on the conference's All-Academic team.

"It's about bringing kids in that have the talent, and fostering that talent," Morett said. "...As a coach, you look for that individual who's willing to achieve in all areas, not just one."

And as a player, one looks for a coach who achieves in all areas too.

"On the field she's a coach, so things get done," Grap said. "She expects the best of us, so we have to give that to her. Off the field she's very caring, she's open, and we know that we can go to her for anything."