Chris Chookagian is in his third season with the Field Hockey program. 

A native of Quakertown, Chookagian comes to Ursinus after a year as a volunteer assistant at Division I Lehigh University. The 2019 campaign was an impressive one for the Mountain Hawks, who posted their best record in 11 years, best start in 36 years, and first regular-season win over the reigning Patriot League champion since 1994. 

“Growing up in Quakertown, Ursinus was basically down the road,” said Chookagian. “When I started playing hockey, my friends and I would always come to the home games being so close. Ever since I started coaching middle school, and while working my way up to the U19s, I knew I wanted to eventually compete and coach at the highest level. Sport truly can change the life of an individual, and hockey has done that for me in so many ways. The Ursinus coaching staff has an energy within the program that mirrors my passion for the game, on and off the field. I am honored to have been chosen to join the Bear family, and ecstatic to step on the pitch and work with this team.”

Chookagian began his coaching career as volunteer for Milford Middle School in 2016, also joining the Souderton Strikers Club Team (Hatfield, Pa.) as assistant that same year. From there, he progressed from assisting teams ranging from Under-10 through Under-19 to coaching his own teams for indoor and outdoor field hockey. Chookagian volunteered in 2017 and 2018 for the Learn to Play and Goalkeeper Showcase sessions at the National Hockey Festival. He received his USAFH Level 1 (2017) and Level 2 (2018) Coaching Certification following each festival weekend.

In 2021, Chookagian was named to the USA Field Hockey Men's National Development Team. As a member of the development squad, he will train with the senior squad and be invited on tours to track progress with the goal of being selected to play in international competition as a member of the men's national team. 

Chookagian was also selected as one of eight coaches for the 2019 AAU Junior Olympics, having the opportunity to work with the top Under-16 athletes in the country.

Chookagian began playing field hockey his junior year at Quakertown High School. After the PIAA barred boys from playing varsity field hockey, he found his way to the USA Men's East Coast High Performance Team (Under-21). He competed domestically and internationally for ECHP under former USA Men's National Team head coach Rutger Wiese. Chookagian won a gold medal in the U19 age group at the 2015 California Cup at Moorpark College.

Chookagian graduated from Nova Southeastern University in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and minor in Sport and Recreation Management. He also earned his MBA in Management online through Nova Southeastern in May 2020.