Normally, a protégé follows a mentor. Such has been the case for much of the three-decade-long relationship between current Penn State field hockey coach Char Morett and Gillian Rattray.

But in January, when Rattray -- who coached the Nittany Lions from 1974-1986 -- is inducted into the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame, she will be following the lead of her former player and coaching successor.

"I'm delighted," Rattray said. "If there's anything that brings honor to Penn State athletics, I think it's great."

Morett played for Rattray from 1976-1979 (both in field hockey and lacrosse), garnering first team All-America honors three times in field hockey, and picking up invaluable lessons and advice along the way.

Morett then served as a graduate assistant for a year under her mentor before taking an assistant coaching job at Old Dominion, working under the current all-time leader in wins, Beth Anders.

"Gillian Rattray and Beth Anders have had a tremendous impact on me," Morett said. "They have very different styles. Beth taught me how to organize practice and how to motivate players. Gillian Rattray combined for everything else, and topped it off by showing care for her players. I feel lucky to have had these different coaches who've played a roll in how I coach every day."

The amount of respect seems like it's always been mutual, as Rattray recounted the first time she saw Morett. "Char and I have always had a very special relationship," Rattray said. "I've known her since she was a junior in high school ... when she was one of the players with little blonde pigtails and blue eyes. I looked at her playing then and said, 'Wow, she's got a lot to offer.' "

After holding the head coaching position at Boston College for three seasons, Morett came back to Penn State in 1987 to take the reigns from her departing mentor, following her path. Rattray would leave after sporting a .782 winning percentage during her time with the Lions -- higher than that of even Joe Paterno, even before the recent slide, no less. Morett, who is no slouch herself with a .733 winning percentage at Penn State, is currently has the fourth-most wins for a field hockey coach in NCAA history, with 330 in her career, and was inducted into the Hall last January.

"It's an honor," Morett said of the induction. "There are so many other coaches out there that are so deserving, that it kind of took me by surprise."

One such coach is Rattray, whose time will come Jan. 8, in Providence, R.I., when the teacher will follow in the steps of the student.

"She's extremely deserving of the recognition, and I feel that she should be in the Hall of Fame as well," Morett said. "It's wonderful to have played for her and to now be a part of her induction ceremony."

Morett and Rattray both said their best field hockey memories lie in the relationships forged.

"[The players] remember those years as fun years, happy years," Rattray said. "Everyone stays in touch afterward -- and I think that's just wonderful."

Like her mentor, the protégé fittingly echoed those same sentiments.

"My best memories 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."