help with object instantiation and array classes

I am having problems trying to build and debug my program.  Here is what I have that causes me errors:
    class NpcData
    {
        public int X;       // actual X coordinate
        public int Y;       // actual Y coordinate
        public byte pathMovement;
        public byte pathMarker;
        public float frameDelay;
        public string[] speech = new string[4];
        public string name;
        public Texture2D visual;
    }

And in my main() function, I declare it as this:
        NpcData[] player = new NpcData[2];

However, in my other classes and methods, the first instance my application executes a command like:
 player[0].name = "my Name";

Results in an error stating: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
Tips: use the "new" keyword to create an object instance.

Is there something I am missing?  I am using XNA 2.0 if that helps any.

Thanks