On Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011, William Tennent senior Kelsey Hiltebeitel signed a letter of intent to accept a field hockey scholarship to Bryant University.
Kelsey Hiltebeitel – Bryant University (Field Hockey)Major: Criminal Justice or Science (Pharmaceutical)
Final list of colleges: Bryant, Lock Haven, Old Dominion
Reasons for choosing Bryant: “I had an overnight visit, and the coaches and team just really welcomed me. Since it was so far away from home, they told me they take every player into their own hands and watch over them. My mom travels to Rhode Island for business, and even though it’s far away, it still worked out because she’ll be up there every once in awhile.
“The campus is beautiful, and they have one-on-one teaching because it’s a smaller school. Criminal Justice is a hard major, and with doing a D-1 field hockey program, I will be glad for that one-on-one service.”
What was the progression that led to your field hockey scholarship at Bryant? “I have been going to the National Hockey Festival since my sophomore year. Bryant was there, and they contacted me my sophomore year. Back then, I still didn’t know if I wanted to go D-1 or D-2. I wasn’t really in contact with any school but was just putting my name out there. As of the end of last year, I was really talking to Bryant.”
When did you start thinking of playing hockey at the collegiate level? “I also run track, and everyone always asked, ‘What sport are you going to do in college?’ I was always going back and forth.
“I got into field hockey my seventh grade year, and it was just for fun. As I got into my freshman year, my coach took me on the varsity. Coach Wyatt said that even though I didn’t play a lot my freshman year, my sophomore year would boost me up and get me a starting spot.
“There’s not really one word to describe this. It’s more like shock, trying to take it all in. You can’t take it in at once.”
Tennent coach Kate Wyatt says: “When Kelsey went up to varsity, I was coaching the freshman team, and even though I missed that year – seeing her play, you always knew she was going to play Division One. Some student-athletes have that athletic mentality, that way of seeing things. That’s something you can’t really instill in a player. They either have it or they don’t, and she definitely had it. She had the skills at a young age, and I knew she was going to do well.
“All of the girls on the team are very determined and hard workers, but Kelsey always had that edge. Whenever we were in practice, she could be going 100 percent but would come over to me and ask, ‘What am I doing wrong?’ She always wanted to take that extra step, and for someone at a young age – always wanting to be better – that separates the stronger athletes.
“Kelsey was in every offensive and defensive corner. We knew if the ball got by her – with her speed, she was down the field in what seemed like the blink of an eye. Her speed was a huge asset besides all of her other skills.
“She’s a good kid, and hers will be hard shoes to fill. She was a great captain. She was very organized and always got things done. I know she will take all those skills and use them in college. We’re going to miss her.”
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