Meet Coach Katie!
1. How/when did you start playing field hockey?
I started playing the summer before 6th grade. The coach of the high school I went to held a camp every year right after school let out, so me and my best friend signed up to try something new.
2. Did you play in college? Where? What position?
I played goalie at the University of Mary Washington, which is a DIII school in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
3. Why did you start coaching?
When I was in college I had some experience coaching summer camps and clinics, which I really enjoyed. After graduating and moving to the DC area, I was looking for a way to stay involved in the hockey community and figured coaching would be the best way to do that. I love bringing new girls into the sport I loved for so long.
4. How long have you been coaching with Koa and what teams do you coach?
I started coaching for Koa in the fall of 2013, so I've been around for more than three years now. I originally started as a rec and clinic coach, but quickly transitioned to working with the club teams. I currently coach the U-12 club team, which I've been doing for close to 2.5 years now.
5. What is your best coaching memory?
A few years ago the U-12 girls went to a November tournament in Baltimore. It was SO COLD, and we started out a little bit rough, but we ended up winning the whole thing, which turned out to be our first championship for the U-12 program.
6. What is one piece of advice you would give to aspiring field hockey players?
Attitude is everything. It can definitely be frustrating if you can't get a skill, or aren't getting what you think is enough playing time, but as a coach, I play girls just as much based on attitude as skill. If you come to practice working hard and are supportive of your teammates when they're playing, it will be noticed, and you'll be rewarded for it!
7. What do you do for fun when you're not coaching field hockey?
A little bit of everything! Watching movies, cooking, playing with my kitten and doing puzzles.
8. Coach fun fact
I lived in London for 6 months while in college!
Picture of the Week
The Koa U14 Green team placing second at the Fall Fest Tournament this past weekend to end their season!
