Longtime regional high school field hockey coach Lisa Knight will be honored by the state of Massachusetts this Monday as she is presented with an Unsung Heroine Award by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women.

“Unsung Heroines are women who don’t always make the news, but truly make a difference in their communities, businesses or volunteer endeavors,” MCSW chairman Victoria Budson said in her announcement letter to Ms. Knight. Ms. Knight is a physical education teacher at the high school, and also teaches an adaptive PE program for special needs students. Each year, she works with a team to compete in the statewide Special Olympics in Mashpee.

Ms. Knight read her letter two days after she had presented an unsung heroine honor of her own, at the field hockey team’s annual banquet. Each year, she told the Gazette, it’s her favorite award to give out.

“It’s given to somebody that I just expect to do what they do out on the field, do what I know they’re capable of doing, and sometimes I forget to tell them,” Ms. Knight said.

“It went to [senior] Taylor Poggi and we both burst into tears,” she recalled. “I told her, I just want you to know that I appreciate everything you do.” When Taylor learned of Ms. Knight’s forthcoming recognition, the two knew they would have to get a photo together with their awards.

Ms. Knight was nominated by former player Kaylea Moore, who played on the team that won the Massachusetts state championship in 2000, the first year Ms. Knight was head coach (she has been with the program since 1990). Ms. Moore works as the Island legislative liaison for state Rep. Timothy Madden, and came back to volunteer as a coach with her former team last fall.

“I texted her when I found out and said, you’re actually the one that’s the unsung heroine,” Ms. Knight said. “It was so great to look out on the field and see the coaches [five in total] who had played through the system”

“I give what I get,” she said. “And I get so much. I have a great job, a great family and a great community . . . it’s so easy to give back.

“It’s a team effort, everything I do.”