North Penn senior Melanie Dickens will be playing collegiate golf at Lehigh University.
Melanie Dickens – Lehigh University (Golf)
Major: Environmental EngineeringFinal list of colleges: Lehigh, Bucknell, Dickinson
Reasons for choosing Lehigh: “I chose Lehigh because not only does it have a great golf program, it also has a renowned engineering school, which I plan on majoring in. I met with a couple of coaches and members from different teams, and Lehigh really seemed to be the best fit for me. I admired the coach’s philosophy of being a good student-athlete, as well as a responsible, contributing member of the community.”
What was the progression that led you to playing golf at the collegiate level? “After my first year on my high school golf team, I decided I wanted to play in college. I loved being on a team – it held me accountable to my teammates and coach who expected me to continue to improve my game. I have been playing competitively for about seven to eight years, and I absolutely love it. I can’t imagine my life without golf.
“I began the college recruiting process by e-mailing coaches in my sophomore year. I started playing in national tournaments, and I set up a profile on a college recruiting site. As I entered my junior year, I narrowed my list of colleges and met with coaches on several campuses. Once I got the different feels of the campuses and golf programs, I waited to hear from the coaches and eventually made my decision. The process was stressful, but it was worth it in the end.”
Coach Dave DiValentino says: “Melanie is a perfect example of an all-around kid. As one of our team captains, her leadership and work ethic spread through our team. Her ability to stay calm and collected on the course makes her an excellent golfer. Melanie was one of the most consistent performers on the team, always contributing to the overall team score. She has excellent technique, a thorough understanding of the golf swing and is a solid player from tee to green.
“I was so happy when she told me she got accepted on the Lehigh team because it is well deserved. I know that she will step right up to that next level of play in college. Each year in high school, she came back for the season hitting the ball longer and straighter. I know once she is exposed to the collegiate atmosphere, she will embrace it and become a key player for the team. Melanie was a great player to coach, and I am looking forward to watching her do great things at Lehigh.”
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