The 2011 season is well underway, and since there are an unusually large number of new coaches on the sidelines, SuburbanOneSports.com would like to give its viewers a glimpse into the backgrounds of the six new coaches.
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH
Co-coaches Jeff Harding & Marie Schmucker
Harding and Schmucher – late hires at CB South after the departure of Christina Ford – are hardly newcomers to the SOL. Both have had successful head coaching careers in the league, and both boast resumes that attest to their vast hockey experience.
“Marie and I are a coaching team,” Harding said. “We share ideas, we share thoughts, and at the end of the day, the players are addressed – ‘This is a coaching team decision.’ We all have different strengths, and when they all come together, it’s going to create a better situation for learning the game. Marie and I have very similar coaching philosophies. The subtle differences we have – I think it’s only going to help the kids going forward.”
Jeff Harding
- Played indoor club field hockey growing up in Tornoto
- Attended Michigan State University on an ice hockey scholarship.
- Member of the Canadian National Ice Hockey Team
- Second round draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers. Played five years of professional ice hockey – three with the Flyers.
- Varsity field hockey coach at Central Bucks East for six years after serving as an assistant. Won the 2002 PIAA State Championship in his final year at the helm.
- Formed own club team called True North two years ago with Lafayette coach Andrew Griffiths after working with the Mystx for eight years.
Favorite vacation spot: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Books on nightstand: The Vision of a Champion by Anson Dorrance and Bobby Knight: The Unauthorized Biography by Steve Delsohn & Mark Heisler
Sparetime activities: Cutting lawn because ‘it’s tranquility’
Coaching philosophy: “It’s really the technical proficiency that we’re looking for. We don’t have the ultimate field surface to teach the game, so what we’ve decided to do – we’ve basically been training indoors in our auxiliary gym. Our focus is not to try and win on a bumpy grass field, but it’s more about player development. That’s the commitment we have. We’re just trying to teach the game the right way. If we can’t handle a grass field, so be it. I think for the tempo, the technical aspect and just the quick play we’re looking for – it’s just a better environment.”
Marie Schmucker
- Three-time All-American in both lacrosse and field hockey during her playing days at Temple University
- Member of Temple’s Hall of Fame in both field hockey and lacrosse
- A key member of Temple’s 1982 and 1984 NCAA National Championship lacrosse teams that will be inducted into the Owls’ Hall of Fame. MVP of NCAA National Lacrosse Tournament.
- Part of three NCAA runner-up field hockey teams during her four-year collegiate career at Temple.
- Member of U.S. National Field Hockey squad
- Varsity field hockey and lacrosse coach at Hatboro-Horsham for 15 years. Won back-to-back SOL titles in field hockey in 2005 and 2006 and a conference lacrosse title in 2007. Field hockey team was district runner-up in 2004 & 2006.
Favorite vacation spot: Hawaii
Books on nightstand: Inspirational books, including Standing Tall by C. Vivian Stringer, Tuesdays With Morrie & Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom, Peace, Love & Healing by Bernie S. Siegel
Sparetime activities: Decorating and cooking
Coaching philosophy: “My goal is to try and reach every kid at any level and get them to the next level and to reach them as a person and teach them life lessons.”
HATBORO-HORSHAM
Laura Swezey
- A three-sport athlete at La Salle University - Swezey competed and excelled in field hockey, basketball and softball
- Member of La Salle University’s Hall of Fame in both field hockey and softball
- National College Field Hockey Championship Title 1980 & MVP of National Tournament. National College Final Four Softball Championships
- Coached field hockey for the U.S. Futures Developmental Program
- Head coach Mystx club field hockey for five years of U14-U-17 teams, includes a U14 Indoor National championship, head coach of Mystx U17 National Club Championship team
- Varsity assistant field hockey coach 6 years at Hatboro-Horsham, which included 2 SOL titles and 2 district runner-up finishes. Previous to high school coached four years combined of middle school field hockey, lacrosse and softball.
Favorite vacation spot: Vacation home at Lake Harmony
Book on nightstand: Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Carlson
Sparetime activities: Working out, spinning, listening to music
Coaching philosophy: “I enjoy teaching skills and would like our team to feel each day that they have learned something in practice. One of my main goals is for the players to want to play field hockey and have that fire. I would like my players to enjoy the game of field hockey and for them to want to return the following year because of that positive experience. If you enjoy something, you're going to want to practice and play to your top potential, and this will not only help the player but the TEAM successfully reach its goals.”
NESHAMINY
Caitlin Koczynski
- Three-year starter and first team all-state selection for a Neshaminy field hockey team that won the conference title in each of those years.
- All-American goalkeeper in 2009 for a Bloomsburg University team that won four straight national championships during Koczynski’s years in goal.
Favorite vacation: Barbados with Bloomsburg field hockey team
Book on nightstand: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (Koczynski’s favorite author)
Sparetime activities: Relaxing with friends
Coaching philosophy: “I definitely want to build on the tradition past coaches have set at Neshaminy. I’m a coach that wants her players to play with heart, play as a team and give 110 percent every single second they’re in that game. We’re working hard on developing good technical and tactical skills.”
WILLIAM TENNENT
Kaitlyn Rauchut
- Three-sport William Tennent alum who played field hockey, basketball and soccer
- Played field hockey for four years at St. Vincent College, three-year captain
- Played lacrosse for four years at St. Vincent College
- Served as jayvee coach at William Tennent for two years
Favorite vacation spot: North Wildwood
Book of nightstand: 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper
Sparetime activities: Spending time with family, going to brothers Jack and Kenny's football and basketball games at Tennent
Coaching philosophy: “I know the winning will come, but the biggest thing for me with a young team is I want them to learn how to play and to get to know the game better. It’s basically skill before task. The task at hand is to win, but if you don’t have the skills, you’re not going to win. With such a young team, the girls have to utilize what they know best. My ultimate goal is to keep the program going where it needs to be.”
WISSAHICKON
Lauren Luft
- Archbishop Wood standout who was named the 2002 Bucks County Courier Times ‘Player of the Year’
- Played collegiate field hockey at St. Joseph’s University
- Head coach at Archbishop Wood 2007-09
- Assistant coach at Haverford College 2010
Favorite vacation spot: Myrtle Beach
Book on nightstand: House Rules by Jodi Picoult
Sparetime activities: Exercising/Running, decorating new house
Coaching philosophy: “My mission as a coach is to instill a strong sense of mind, body and spirit in the student-athletes on the team. I do believe that those three aspects are interconnected and need to be equally trained. I take responsibility in making sure that each student-athlete on the team is performing up to their highest standards in the classroom, on the athletic field and within the community. It is important to me that I not only teach them the game of field hockey, but that I am there to guide them in other aspects of life. I want to be not only a coach, but a teacher, a leader, a mentor and someone they can count on.”
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