Instilled at a young age
9/25/2013 2:08:00 PM | Field Hockey
"From an early age I can remember my dad telling me that all the money in the world can't buy good character," said Lehigh field hockey junior Steph Fratoni. "This was a phrase I heard often throughout my childhood.
Â
Fratoni took her father's advice to heart which has paid dividends.
Â
"This phrase heavily influenced the leadership qualities I developed because I was continually focusing on my character," she said. "I heard that phrase at least once a week."
Â
Steph's father Ed was passing down the values he learned from his parents.
Â
"It was instilled in me when I was young," he said. "We'd have conversations at the table. It's something that's learned and is essential with leadership. Going out the door in the morning for school, we'd be reminded to be independent and be a leader."
Â
At her eighth grade graduation, Fratoni received The Kathleen M. Bonner award presented to one student in each graduating class who exhibits strength of character, determination, perseverance, courage of convictions and a positive attitude towards life. The award was unexpected and helped serve as a defining point moment for Steph and her family.
Â
"That meant a lot to me because character was something we always talked about," said Ed.
Â
Fratoni has continued to succeed in the collegiate ranks. She was an All-Patriot League player as a freshman and instantly served as a positive influence to the team.
Â
"Steph is genuine and truly one of the hardest working student-athletes I have ever coached," said Lehigh head coach Stacey Blue. "She is always pushing to do her best and she leads by example. Steph cares about the team's success much more than any individual accolades. She faces all challenges with a smile and leaves everything on the field."
Â
"Steph is a natural leader, but she also continues to work hard to become more effective for her team," said Julie Sterrett of Lehigh's Leadership Education program. "She's always had a mature understanding of the bigger picture."
Â
Fratoni was voted captain of her eighth grade and high school teams and was an elected member of the executive board of student council. As a senior in high school, Fratoni was selected as a leader of 50 classmates for a student retreat.
Â
One moment on the playing field helped open Steph's eyes to the importance of character and leadership. It came her freshman year of high school in a championship game. It also marked Fratoni's first varsity start.
Â
"I hadn't thought much about leadership in a team environment until this moment," she said. "We got scored on with only a couple minutes left. The seniors started crying, screaming and falling apart."
Â
There was still time left, so the focus should have been on scoring the equalizer.
Â
"I wanted to win, but I was a freshman and (at the time) felt I couldn't do anything," said Fratoni. "From that point on, I realized the impact that leadership can have on a team."
Â
Fratoni entered Lehigh from Cardinal O'Hara High School in Springfield, Pennsylvania. She brought the complete package to Lehigh.
Â
As a freshman, Fratoni posted a goal and four assists while impressing on the defensive end as well. She was named Patriot League Rookie of the Week and earned Second Team All-Patriot League laurels. Fratoni made four defensive saves against Rider, the highest single-game total in the NCAA that year.
Â
Most importantly, Fratoni helped lead the team to a 3-2 Patriot League record (for the first time in five years) and the #3 seed in the league tournament. That included a win over Patriot League finalist Bucknell.
Â
Fratoni's combination of on-field success and intangibles led her teammates to vote her captain, joining Mignogna and Kelsey Zeswitz as tri-captains.
Â
"Steph has always been one of the most, if not the most, respected player on this team," said Mignogna. "She came in well prepared and with a great mindset; she played consistently every game and got the job done. A player like that, no matter what age, will always gain respect."
Â
Fratoni's leadership is evident in all areas. Steph has completed the P.R.I.D.E. program, along with Emerging Leaders, and is currently part of Leadership Legacies.
Â
"Steph's steady performance, great character and effective relationships have earned her the credibility to hold her teammates accountable," said Sterrett. "As she continues to grow in confidence and find her voice, Steph will become an even greater change agent for Lehigh field hockey."
Â
Fratoni and Mignogna are taking the lead for the Mountain Hawks this season.
Â
"We didn't want to lose our connection as a team so we've made an effort to continue bonding as a team every day," said Mignogna. "The upperclassmen are extremely close, but there are no separations between grades. I truly feel we are one unit and age doesn't matter. That's an important aspect of team unity in any sport.
Â
"Steph and I talk individually every day," she continued. "We are always staying updated on each other's progress and discussing team ideas or issues. I admire Steph so much. I'm so thankful to be able to have a co-captain who balances out my weaknesses as a leader and I'm happy to do the same for her."
Â
From the high of making the Patriot League Tournament as a freshman, the Mountain Hawks struggled in 2012, but a young squad this season features a lot of potential. Fratoni is excited to see what this season will bring.
Â
"I think we took strides as a team last spring that we haven't taken in a while," said Fratoni. "We made so many improvements in our fitness tests."
Â
"We have always been a very close knit team, but never as close as we are now," said Mignogna. "As a whole, we talk almost every day and always stay updated on each other's lives."
Â
Fratoni has helped enhance the culture of Lehigh field hockey. It all started when she received those words of wisdom.
Â
"I've seen Steph evolve into a strong person with great integrity," said her father. "Part of the characteristics of good character is the essential characteristic of integrity.
Â
"Steph has always been driven in every aspect of her life," he continued. "She gives 100 percent in everything she does. She is extremely disciplined. Whether in training, homework or school projects, her discipline is high. Her expectations are high and she works hard to try and maintain that in everything she does."
Â
Fratoni took her father's advice to heart which has paid dividends.
Â
"This phrase heavily influenced the leadership qualities I developed because I was continually focusing on my character," she said. "I heard that phrase at least once a week."
Â
Steph's father Ed was passing down the values he learned from his parents.
Â
"It was instilled in me when I was young," he said. "We'd have conversations at the table. It's something that's learned and is essential with leadership. Going out the door in the morning for school, we'd be reminded to be independent and be a leader."
Â
At her eighth grade graduation, Fratoni received The Kathleen M. Bonner award presented to one student in each graduating class who exhibits strength of character, determination, perseverance, courage of convictions and a positive attitude towards life. The award was unexpected and helped serve as a defining point moment for Steph and her family.
Â
"That meant a lot to me because character was something we always talked about," said Ed.
Â
Fratoni has continued to succeed in the collegiate ranks. She was an All-Patriot League player as a freshman and instantly served as a positive influence to the team.
Â
"Steph is genuine and truly one of the hardest working student-athletes I have ever coached," said Lehigh head coach Stacey Blue. "She is always pushing to do her best and she leads by example. Steph cares about the team's success much more than any individual accolades. She faces all challenges with a smile and leaves everything on the field."
Â
"Steph is a natural leader, but she also continues to work hard to become more effective for her team," said Julie Sterrett of Lehigh's Leadership Education program. "She's always had a mature understanding of the bigger picture."
Â
Fratoni was voted captain of her eighth grade and high school teams and was an elected member of the executive board of student council. As a senior in high school, Fratoni was selected as a leader of 50 classmates for a student retreat.
Â
One moment on the playing field helped open Steph's eyes to the importance of character and leadership. It came her freshman year of high school in a championship game. It also marked Fratoni's first varsity start.
Â
"I hadn't thought much about leadership in a team environment until this moment," she said. "We got scored on with only a couple minutes left. The seniors started crying, screaming and falling apart."
Â
There was still time left, so the focus should have been on scoring the equalizer.
Â
"I wanted to win, but I was a freshman and (at the time) felt I couldn't do anything," said Fratoni. "From that point on, I realized the impact that leadership can have on a team."
Â
Fratoni entered Lehigh from Cardinal O'Hara High School in Springfield, Pennsylvania. She brought the complete package to Lehigh.
Â
As a freshman, Fratoni posted a goal and four assists while impressing on the defensive end as well. She was named Patriot League Rookie of the Week and earned Second Team All-Patriot League laurels. Fratoni made four defensive saves against Rider, the highest single-game total in the NCAA that year.
Â
Most importantly, Fratoni helped lead the team to a 3-2 Patriot League record (for the first time in five years) and the #3 seed in the league tournament. That included a win over Patriot League finalist Bucknell.
Â
Fratoni's combination of on-field success and intangibles led her teammates to vote her captain, joining Mignogna and Kelsey Zeswitz as tri-captains.
Â
"Steph has always been one of the most, if not the most, respected player on this team," said Mignogna. "She came in well prepared and with a great mindset; she played consistently every game and got the job done. A player like that, no matter what age, will always gain respect."
Â
Fratoni's leadership is evident in all areas. Steph has completed the P.R.I.D.E. program, along with Emerging Leaders, and is currently part of Leadership Legacies.
Â
"Steph's steady performance, great character and effective relationships have earned her the credibility to hold her teammates accountable," said Sterrett. "As she continues to grow in confidence and find her voice, Steph will become an even greater change agent for Lehigh field hockey."
Â
Fratoni and Mignogna are taking the lead for the Mountain Hawks this season.
Â
"We didn't want to lose our connection as a team so we've made an effort to continue bonding as a team every day," said Mignogna. "The upperclassmen are extremely close, but there are no separations between grades. I truly feel we are one unit and age doesn't matter. That's an important aspect of team unity in any sport.
Â
"Steph and I talk individually every day," she continued. "We are always staying updated on each other's progress and discussing team ideas or issues. I admire Steph so much. I'm so thankful to be able to have a co-captain who balances out my weaknesses as a leader and I'm happy to do the same for her."
Â
From the high of making the Patriot League Tournament as a freshman, the Mountain Hawks struggled in 2012, but a young squad this season features a lot of potential. Fratoni is excited to see what this season will bring.
Â
"I think we took strides as a team last spring that we haven't taken in a while," said Fratoni. "We made so many improvements in our fitness tests."
Â
"We have always been a very close knit team, but never as close as we are now," said Mignogna. "As a whole, we talk almost every day and always stay updated on each other's lives."
Â
Fratoni has helped enhance the culture of Lehigh field hockey. It all started when she received those words of wisdom.
Â
"I've seen Steph evolve into a strong person with great integrity," said her father. "Part of the characteristics of good character is the essential characteristic of integrity.
Â
"Steph has always been driven in every aspect of her life," he continued. "She gives 100 percent in everything she does. She is extremely disciplined. Whether in training, homework or school projects, her discipline is high. Her expectations are high and she works hard to try and maintain that in everything she does."
2025 Lehigh Field Hockey Season Preview
Wednesday, August 27
Field Hockey vs. UAlbany
Sunday, October 13
Field Hockey vs. Colgate
Saturday, September 21
Lehigh Sports Central: Field Hockey
Thursday, September 19
